V  IMPSES  OF 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


li'hen  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"Sver  thing  comes  I'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Dl  rst  Old  York  Library 


Glimpses  of 

OLD  NEW-YORK 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/glimpsesofoldnewOObrow 


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AVING  lived  all  my  life  practically  in  New  York,  I  have  come  to 
find  a  singular  fascination  in  the  old  city.  Perhaps  a  knowledge  of 
the  great  changes  which  have  come  to  pass,  in  even  my  own  brief 
span,  has  served  to  invest  it  with  a  hidden  meaning  hard  to  describe. 
Shabby  and  dilapidated  old  buildings  in  once  fashionable  regions 
resume  their  high  estate,  and  behind  the  signs  of  Artificial  Flowers  and  Curled 
Feathers  move  the  ethereal  figures  of  stately  belle  and  sprightly  beau  of  days  long 
since  gone  by.  The  shadows  lengthen  and  shorter  grows  the  way.  While  inclina- 
tion serves,  I  have  gathered  together  many  of  these  pictures  of  an  older  and  quainter 
New  York,  feeling  sure  that  they  will  delight  and  enchant  many  another,  as  they 
have  delighted  and  enchanted  me. 

The  statement  that  New  Yorkers  care  nothing  for  their  city  has  gone  so  long 
unchallenged  that  it  has  now  become  practically  an  axiom.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
nothing  is  further  from  the  truth. 

My  recent  revival  of  Valentine's  Manual  met  with  instant  support,  and  my 
limited  edition  of  "Old  New  York"  is  now  out  of  print.    Everywhere  I  find  an 

[  vii  ] 


increasing"  desire  to  know  Jiioic  about  tlie  city — its  rise,  its  progress  and  its 
amazingly  interesting  history. 

Not  all  of  us  have  the  time  or  the  inclination  to  read  a  hook  whose  every  para- 
graph is  halted  hy  a  cabalistic  sign  ref'cn-ing  the  reader  to  some  other  book, 
some  place,  somewhei'c.  In  the  pages  which  follow  1  ha\c  avoided  these  outward 
and  visible  signs  of  ripe  scholarship.  Hut  facts  are  here  nevertheless  and  correctly 
given.  If  I  have  adopted  the  spirit  of  t]ie  cinema,  in  place  of  the  pen  pictures  of 
a  JNlacaulay,  a  Gibbon  or  a  Ilumc,  it  is  frankly  because  1  am  neither  of  these — and, 
besides,  the  "movies"  ai'c  crowded  nightly. 

New  Yoi-k  is  singularly  fortunate  in  the  possession  oi"  almost  complete  early 
records,  chief  among  which  are  an  extraoi-dinary  !iumber  of  old  prints  now  ex- 
tremely rare,  many  of  which  are  here  shown  in  colors  for  the  first  time.  These  are 
largely  in  the  hands  of  pi-ivate  collectors  who,  however,  arc  most  generous  in  allow- 
ing their  use  for  the  benefit  of  others. 

These  old  pictures  recite,  in  a  univei-sal  language,  the  early  history  of  old 
New  York.  No  purely  imaginative  drawing,  no  matter  how  skilfully  executed, 
can  vie  in  human  interest  with  the  crude  and  sometimes  amateurish  work  of  those 
men  who  actually  lived  and  had  their  being  among  the  scenes  portrayed  by  their 
])encils.  ^Vnd  in  the  yeais  to  come  I  hope  to  comjilete  the  record  of  which  these 
pages  to-day  are  the  beginning. 

So  much  of  this  work  comes  from  other  sources  that  I  have  no  hesitancy  in 
speaking  of  it  in  the  highest  possible  terms.  I  am  particularly  indebted  to  Mr. 
I.  N.  Phelps  Stokes  for  the  use  of  the  hitherto  unknown  l*rototyj)e  View,  to  Mr. 
Frederick  TrcAor  Hill  for  the  liberal  use  of  his  delightful  essay.  The  Storij  of  a 
Street,  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Innes  for  his  profound  study  of  the  early  settlers  of  Man- 
hattan, to  the  New  York  Historical  Society  and  others.  On  another  page  I  have 
mentioned  the  collections  from  which  most  of  the  prints  come. 

This  book  was  originally  meant  to  comniemorate  the  Hundred  Years'  Peace 
between  Great  Britain  and  ourselves,  following  the  Treaty  of  Ghent,  but  the 
Great  War  having  intervened,  I  have  made  it  now  commemorative  of  the  year  in 
which  New  York  became  the  leading  financial  centre  of  the  world  and  of  the  year 
in  which  its  population  exceeds  that  of  any  other  metropolis. 

The  Author. 


[  viii  ] 


ONLY    ORIGINAL  COMPLETE    BLACK    IMPRESSION,    OWNED    BY    PERCY    R.    PYNE  11 


Srtnitg  (Elfurrlj  on  Siroaliumy  at  tijp         of  Wall  ^trttt 

EXTREMELY  RARE  VIEW  MADE  DIRECTLY  AFTER  THE  BUILDING  WAS 
REMODELLED  AND  OCCUPIED.  MAY  21.  1846.  THE  FIRST  BUILD- 
ING WAS  ERECTED  IN  1696  AND  WAS  DESTROYED  IN  THE  GREAT 
FIRE  OF  1776.  THE  SECOND  EDIFICE  (ERECTED  AFTER  THE  REVO- 
LUTION) WAS  CONDEMNED  IN  1839  AS  UNSAFE  AND  THIS  ONE 
TOOK  ITS  PLACE.  NOTE  THE  LOW-LYING  BUILDINGS  SURROUNDING 
AS  COMPARED  WITH  THE  SAME  VIEW  TO-DAY.  THE  PROCESSION  ON 
THE  STREET  IS  SAID  TO  BE  OF  SOME  ORPHAN  SOCIETY  COMING 
OUT  OF  THE  CHURCH 


Glimpses  of 

Old  New-York 

HENRY  COLLIKS  BROWK 

The  rare  Old  Prints  are  from  the 
Private  Collections  of 

Mr.  ROBERT  GOELET  ^  ^ 
Mr.  PERCY  R.  PYNE  2^  g 
Mr.  I.  N.  PHELPS  STOKES 
Mr.  J.  PIERPONT  MORGAN 
Mr.  W.  LORING  ANDREWS 
Mr5.  ROBERT  W.  DE  FOREST 
Mr.  A.  VAN  HORNE  STUYVESANT 
Mr.  WM.  F.  H  A  V  E  M  E  Y  E  R 
Mr.  SIMEON  FORD 
Mr.  J.  CLARENCE  DAVIES 
Mr.  ROBERT  E.  DOWLING 
Mr.  JOHN  N.  GOLDING  S 
Mr.  JOHN  D.  CRIMMINS 
NEW  YORK  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 
and  others 


Privately  Printed 
for 

The  Subscribers 

ANDERSON  GALLERIES  BUILDING 
Fifteen  East  Fortieth  Street 
New  York 


1917 


COPYRIGHT.  1916 
HENRY  COLLINS  BROWN 


ARRANGED  AND  PRINTED  BY  THE 
LENT  a  GRAFF  CO..  NEW  YORK. 

HAND  ENGRAVED  COLOR-G RAVU R ES  BY 
MR.  ROBERT  BROWNING  OF  THE  GALVANO- 
TYPE    ENGRAVING     COMPANY.    NEW  YORK 


TABLE  of  CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I 

PAGE 

First  Views  of  New  York:  Early  Dutch  Engravings    ...  i 

THE  HARTGERS  VIEW  ;  THE  STOKES  OR  PROTOTYPE  VIEW ;  THE  VISSCHER  VIEW ; 
THE  FAMOUS  MONTANUS  VIEW  ;  THE  VINGBOOM  SURVEY  ;  EARLY  FARM  GRANTS 
SOUTH  OF  WALL,  STREET ;  THE  "RESTITUTIO"  VIEW  ;  THE  DUKE's  PLAN  ;  THE 
VIEWS  BY  LAURENS  BLOCK 

CHAPTER  II 

Wall  Street  in  History  26 

ERECTION  OF  THE  CATTLE  GUARD  AFTERWARD  MADE  A  STOCKADE  OR  WALL;  WALL 
STREET  IN  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY;  THE  MERCHANTS'  COFFEE  HOUSE  AND 
THE  tontine;  wall  STREET  AFTER  THE  REVOLUTION;   FAMOUS  WALL  STREET 

"industrials"  ;  wall  street  of  to-day  ;  the  anglo-french  loan  ;  the 
dollar  supplants  the  pound  sterling;  old  views  of  wall  street;  the 

stock  EXCHANGE  ;  CHANGES  OF  THE  PAST  IN  WALL  STREET  BUILDINGS 

CHAPTER  III 

The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway       .       .       .  .121 

OLD  PICTURES  OF  BROADWAY  ;  BROADWAY  :  EAST  SIDE  TO  LEONARD  STREET 

CHAPTER  IV 

First  Occupation  of  Manhattan  Island  177 

THE  ISLAND  IS  PURCHASED ;  TROUBLES  OF  THE  COLONY  ;  GOVERNOR  STUYVESANT 

New  York  after  the  Surrender   189 

CHAPTER  V 

Reminiscences  of  Old  Columbia  College  (Richard  T.  Bang)    .       .  201 

Reopening  of  Columbia  College  after  the  Revolution   .       .       .  214 

Julia  Ward  Howe  in  Her  Girlhood   217 

The  Old  Ship-builders  of  New  York   217 

A  Curious  Omission   221 

[xi] 


Table  of  Contents 


CHAPTER  VI 

Old-time  Marriage  and  Death  Notices  

How  New  York's  Magnificent  Public  School  System  Began  . 
Old  Fifth  Avenue  and  the  People  Who  Lived  There  in  185 i  . 


CHAPTER  VII 

New  York:  1816—1916  

253 

The  Stadt  Huys,  or  City  Hall,  of  New  York  

258 

Across  the  River:  Memories  of  Old  Brooklyn  .... 

262 

What  was  Going  on  in  New  York  Ten  Years  after  the  Declara- 

tion OF  Independence  

277 

The  Post  Office,  etc.,  181 6  

282 

CHAPTER  VIII 

rV.UVt,Kl  loUNb  Ao  A  rilNc-  rlKl  .  VV  AbrlUNOlUIM  iKVlJNu  Ao  A  \_/Uri  WKllt.K 

205 

i\.  OLlMroc,  Ur    Irlt.  rAbrilUJNo  IJN    lOOO  ...... 

209 

HCHOtb  Or  IHE  KEVOLUnON  ........ 

293 

1  HE  riKbl   UlKLLlUKi   Ur  i\  bW    I  UKK,   lyoO  ..... 

293 

Echo  of  a  Tragedy  that  once  Stirred  New  York  to  its  Depths 

297 

Grant's  Last  Residence  in  New  York  

301 

Ellis  Island  in  the  Early  Days  

301 

Our  Volunteer  Firemen  

302 

No  Christmas,  as  We  Know  It,  in  Former  Times  .... 

306 

Curious  Happenings  in  1802  

309 

New  York  Street  Cries  of  Long  Ago  

309 

Early  Dates  of  Important  Events  

310 

[xii] 

PAGE 
229 

238 
242 


COPTKIGHT  I9t< 

iBattrry  $Iark  m\h  g'latr  ^trvet 


THIS  VIEW  SHOWS  THE  STRIKING  CONTRAST  BETWEEN  NEW  YORK  IN  THE  EARLY  N  I  N  ETE  E  N  T  H  A  N  D  TWE  NT!  ET  H 
CENTURIES  THE  LITTLE  HOUSES  ON  THE  RIGHT  WERE  IN  THOSE  DAYS  THE  MOST  IMPOSING  IN  TOWN  AND  ARE 
ALL  THAT  REMAIN  OF  THIS  FAMOUS  BLOCK,  WHICH  CONTAINED  THE  HOMES  OF  JAMES  D  WOLFE  ROBERT  LENOX 
THOMAS  W  LUDLOW.  ARCHIBALD  GRACIE,  JOSEPH  P  PHOENIX.  MOSES  ROGERS.  CHANCELLOR  LIVINGSTOn' 
ROBERT  FULTON.  JOHN  B  COLE.  AND  OTHERS 

FOR  MANY  YEARS  THIS  STATELY  OLD  STREET.  COMMANDING.  AS  IT  DID.  A  SPLENDID  UNOBSTRUCTED  VIEW  OF  THE 
MOST  MAGNIFICENT  HARBOR  IN  THE  WORLD  AND  THE  WOODED  HEIGHTS  OF  BROOKLYN  ACROSS  THE  RIVER  WAS 
DESERVEDLY  THE  MOST  FASHIONABLE  AND  EXCLUSIVE  RESIDENTIAL  SECTION  OF  THE  CITY 

THE  ROGERS  HOUSE  IS  THE  ONE  WIIH  THE  COLUMNS     THE  GRACIE  «ND  LIVINGSTON  ADJOIN 


Table  of  Contents 


CHAPTER  IX 

PAGE 

What  Do  You  Like  about  New  York?   313 

New  York  Greatly  Increases  its  Manufacturing  Output  .  .  318 
What  a  Great  Britisher  Thinks  of  New  York      .       .       .  .318 

Our  Great  Library   321 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Years  of  Commerce  in  New  York    .       .  329 

Everett  L.  Warner  :  A  Rising  Young  Painter  OF  New  York   .       .  333 

A  Famous  Artist  of  Old  New  York  :  Edward  L.  Henry  .       .       .  334 

The  Oldest  Military  Organization  in  the  State  of  New  York     .  337 

CHAPTER  X 

Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine   338 

CHAPTER  XI 

The  Romance  of  Big  Business  :  Great  Industries  and  Their  Small 

Beginnings   349 


THE  TEOLLEY  CAR  ;  THE  TELEPHONE ;  THE  PHONOGRAPH  ;  THE  AUTOMOBILE  ; 
GAS  AND  electricity;  RETAIL  CHAIN  STORES;  EARTH's  HIDDEN  TREASURES;  THE 
UNITED  FRUIT  COMPANY 


[  xiii  ] 


LIST  of 
ILLUSTRATIONS 


Foreword — "Westward  Ho!"  By  E.  Johnson  King  [Colored]  .  .  vii 
Trinity  Church  (1846),  extremely  rare  Pyne  view — Frontispiece 

[Colored] 

Battery  Park  and  State  Street  Painted  by  E.  L.  Warner  [Colored]  .  ix 
View  of  Wall  Street:  1825  (From  Broad  Street  to  Trinity  Church)  i 


[Colored] 

First  View  of  New  York  Ever  Shown:  1628  [Colored]      ...  3 

Second  View  of  New  York:  1655  [Colored]   7 

Third  View  OF  New  York:  167 1  [Co/or^<i]              .       .       .       .  11 

Prototype  View  OF  New  York:  1653  [Co/or^ J]  ....  15 
First  Survey  of  Manhattan  Island  (Vingboom's),  or  Manatus  Map: 

1639  [Colored]                                                                               .  19 

"Restitutio"  View  OF  New  York:  1673  [Co/or^^]  ....  23 
North  Side  of  Wall  Street — Broadway  to  Nassau  Street:  18 16 

[Colored]    ...........  27 

Early  Dutch  Farms  South  of  Wall  Street  [Colored]       .       .       .  31 

Laurens  Block's  Views:  1643- 1650  [Co/or^^]           •       •       •       •  35 

The  Duke's  Plan:  1665  [Colored]   39 

The  Tontine  Coffee  House  [Co/or^^/]   43 

Broad  Street  in  Residential  Days  [Colored]   47 


Old  Stadt  Huys,  Pearl  Street  and  Coenties  Slip  [Colored]      .       .  51 

[XV] 


List  of  Illustrations 


PAGE 


Custom  House  and  Broad  Street  (The  Morgan  Corner)  ...  55 

Presidential  Mansion,  Cherry  Street:  1789   59 

Famous  Tiebout  View  of  Federal  Hall   63 

Fraunces'  Tavern,  Pearl  Street  cor.  Broad  Street  [Colored]  .      .  67 

Maverick'sWonderful  View  OF  Wall  Street:  1825  .      .      .      .  71 

The  Great  Fire  of  1835   75 

Wall  Street,  showing  Private  Residences:  1845      ....  79 

Wall  Street,  showing  Century  Old  Banks:  1867  .       .       .       .  83 

First  Office  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company  and  Old 

Stock  Exchange  [Colored]   87 

Wall  Street  from  Pearl  Street:  i860  [Co/or^<y]      ....  91 

Early  View  OF  New  York:  1790   95 

Old  Curb  Market,  Beaver  and  William  Streets    ....  99 

Inauguration  of  Washington:  1789   103 

East  River,  showing  the  First  Vanderbilt  Steamers  [Colored]       .  107 

Corner  Pine  Street  and  Broadway   in 

Fort  George:  1760   115 

The  Main  Street  IN  Our  Village:  Broadway  (IN  1835)  [Colored]    .  119 

Old  Broadway  Stage   123 

Battery  Place  (1830),  afterward  "Steamship  Row"  [Colored]  .       .  127 

Megary's  Rare  Print  of  Lower  Broadway   131 

Strickland's  View  of  Broadway,  showing  Grace  Chapel  and  Trin- 
ity: 1820  [Colored]   135 

Strickland's  Painting  of  Broadway  from  Saint  Paul's  South 

[Colored]    ...........  139 

[  xvi  ] 


List  of  Illustrations 

PAGE 

Site  of  Standard  Oil  Building:  1848  143 

A  Remarkably  Rare  Stephenson  View  of  Broadway:  1855      .       .  147 

Broadway  from  Dey  to  Barclay  Streets:  1843  [Colored]  .       .  -151 

Burning  OF  Barnum's  Museum  [Co/or^</]  155 

Stephenson  View  of  Broadway:  1855  159 

Broadway,  corner  of  Cortlandt  Street:  1848  [Colored]  .       .  .163 

Caspar  Samler  Farm  House  on  Broadway  and  29TH  Street:  1867 

[Colored]  167 

Overhead  Telegraph  Wires  on  Broadway:  1890     .       .       .  -171 

Broadway  and  Recruiting  Station:  1862  [Colored]       .       .  -175 

Horner's  View  of  Broadway  AND  Canal  Street:  1835       .       .  .179 

St.  George's  Chapel,  Beekman  Street  [Colored]     .       .       .  .183 

St.  Mark's  Church:  1825  187 

Parade  OF  Seventh  Regiment  ON  Washington  Square:  1855     .       .  191 

Panoramic  View  OF  New  York  FROM  42ND  Street:  1855  .       .  .195 

Columbia  College:  1874  199 

Columbia  College  at  Madison  Avenue  203 

Murray  Street  AND  Dr.  Mason's  Church:  1822       ....  207 

Old  North  Dutch  Church,  Fulton  Street  211 

Site  OF  Present  World  Building:  1853  [Co/or^^/]     •       •       •  -215 

Peter  Goelet  House,  Broadway  and  19TH  Street    .       .       .  .219 

Brady's  War  Photograph  of  Broadway:  1863  [Colored]  .       .  .223 

Van  Courtlandt  Manor  House:  1748  227 

Early  Stores  of  A.  T.  Stewart  on  Broadway  231 

[  xvii  ] 


List  of  Illustrations 

PAGE 

Beekman  House,  50TH  Street  and  East  River  .  .  .  .235 
Madison  Square— Site  of  Metropolitan  Insurance  Co.  .  .  ,  239 
Madison  Cottage — Fifth  Avenue  and  23RD  Street  .       .       .  .243 

Fifth  Avenue  Hotel:  1859  247 

Old  Chickering  Hall  251 

Old  John  Street  Church  255 

Bridge  at  Broadway  and  Fulton  Street:  1868  .  .  .  .  259 
St.  Paul's  Church  AND  Broadway  Stages  :  1831  .  .  .  .263 
First  Entrance  to  Brooklyn  Bridge  267 


Broadway  and  19TH  Street  (1880),  before  it  Became  the  Leading 

Retail  District  271 

Rhinelander  Sugar  House:  1763  275 

Forty-second  Street  and  Madison  Avenue  (1864),  before  the  New 


York  Central  Railroad  Depot  Was  Built   279 

New  York's  First  Hotel   283 

National  Theatre,  Leonard  and  Church  Streets  ....  287 
Famous  Birch  View  of  New  York:  1803  [Second  State]     .       .  .291 

Dedication  OF  Worth  Monument:  1850   295 

Maiden  Lane  (1885),  Centre  OF  Jewelry  Trade      .       .       .  .299 

Watch  Tower,  Old  Greenwich  Village   303 

Clement  C.  Moore's  House,  Chelsea  Village   307 

Beginnings  of  the  Traffic  Squad:  1868   311 

Harlem  Lane— the  Old  Speedway   315 

Old  Manhattan  Athletic  Club   319 

Old  National  Academy  of  Design,  23RD  Street       ....  323 

[  xviii  ] 


List  of  Illustrations 

PAGE 

First  Trip  on  an  Elevated  Road:  1867  327 

Hudson  River  Railroad  Depot,  Chambers  Street:  i860  [Colored]  .  331 
Albany  Post  Road  (1861),  now  Automobile  Row    .       .       .  .335 

Cathedral  of  Saint  John  the  Divine  339 

New  York  Hospital:  1867  .       .       .  343 

Junction  of  Bowery  and  Broadway:  1824  347 

View  OF  Dutch  Street:  1820  351 

Broapway  FROM  Liberty  Street  to  Rector  [Colored]  .  .  .355 
The  Famous  Birch  View  OF  New  York:  1803  [First  State]     .       .  359 

First  Division,  N.  Y.  State  Artillery  363 

First  House  Lighted  by  Gas  367 

Union  Square:  i860;  Spingler  Hotel  371 

Fulton  Street:  1849;  Herald  Building  on  Ann  Street    .       .  -375 


[xix] 


A  ?Rarp  Hi^w  of  Wall  S'tmt  from  Sroaii  g'trppt:  IB 23 


A  UNIQUE  ORIGINAL  SKETCH  OF  CONTEMPORARY  DATE.  GIVING  AN 
EXCELLENT  IDEA  OF  STREET  TRAFFIC  AND  COSTUMES  OF  THAT 
EARLY  DATE 

ORIGINAL  OWNED  BY  I.  N.  PHELPS  STOKES 
IN      ICONOGRAPHY  OF  NEW  YORK.  -   ©  1915 


CHAPTER  I 


THE  FIRST  VIEW  OF  NEW  YORK  EVER  SHOWN  TO 

THE  WORLD 

It  is  doubtful  if  any  more  thorough  method  of  studying  the  history  of  our 
city  could  be  devised  than  a  thoughtful  consideration  of  the  quaint  and  wonderful 
old  pictures  here  presented.  To  "illustrate"  a  book  by  means  of  fanciful  drawings 
based  on  the  text  is  one  way  of  presenting  the  subject,  but  it  by  no  means  affords 
the  same  intellectual  delight  and  profound  meaning  as  is  afforded  by  a  study  of 
these  old  drawings  made  at  the  time,  and  by  men  who  actually  saw  what  is  herein 
portrayed.  We  gladly  excuse  technical  errors  in  perspective  and  faulty  con- 
struction in  drawing  in  return  for  the  huge  satisfaction  afforded  by  a  sight  of 
the  genuine  work  of  contemporaneous  artists.  It  creates  a  feeling  of  reverence  to 
gaze  upon  the  actual  work  of  men  who  lived  here  and  walked  the  same  streets 
as  we  do  to-day.  And  the  lapse  of  three  hundred  years  but  adds  to  that  feeling 
and  heightens  our  gratitude  to  those  men  whose  efforts  have  preserved  to  us  the 
true  presentment  of  our  great  metropolis  in  its  cradle  days. 

While  it  may  have  proved  exasperating  at  times  for  the  old  Dutch  Governors 
to  receive  from  Holland  by  every  vessel  innumerable  notes,  memoranda,  letters 
and  detailed  instructions  concerning  even  the  most  trivial  matters,  nevertheless  the 
New  Yorker  of  to-day  has  cause  to  rejoice  that  such  was  the  case.  For  it  has  pro- 
vided the  city  with  the  most  perfect  and  complete  account  of  its  early  history  that  any 
city  possesses.  The  early  records  of  London,  Paris  and  Rome  are  lost  in  the  dim- 
ness of  antiquity,  but,  thanks  to  the  inexhaustible  stream  of  documents  which  con- 
stantly flowed  from  the  West  India  Company  to  its  servants  in  New  Amsterdam, 
there  is  no  such  lamentable  want  concerning  New  York.    And  it  is  with  great 


[1] 


GiJMPSES  OF  Oij)  New  York 


pleasure  therefore  that  we  present  in  these  pages  a  collection  of  contemporary 
drawings  of  early  New  York  which  for  extent,  variety  and  interest  are  unusual 
even  for  a  city  the  size  and  importance  of  ours. 

It  will  now  be  our  agreeable  task  to  set  before  you  what  historians  have 
learned  concerning  the  origin  of  these  pictures — the  men  who  made  them,  the  year 
they  did  it — and  other  interesting  little  details.  These  sketches  to  our  book  are 
very  much  like  the  prologue  to  a  play — what  comes  after  is  far  more  interesting 
and  more  easily  understood. 

THE  HARTGERS  VIEW 

On  another  page  we  have  reproduced  a  rather  crude  drawing  and  yet  one  upon 
which  no  New  Yorker  can  gaze  without  a  feeling  of  profound  emotion.  It  is  the 
first  known  picture  of  the  great  City  of  New  York  as  it  appeared  when  about  two 
years  old.  It  was  the  work  of  Kryn  Fredcrycks,  an  engineer  sent  out  by  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company  in  1625,  to  superintend  the  construction  of  the  Fort  and 
houses  in  accordance  with  the  plans  of  the  Company. 

Very  minute  instructions  were  given  by  the  officers  of  the  Company  regard- 
ing the  arrangement  of  the  proposed  new  settlement.  The  Fort  was  to  be  four- 
sided,  of  which  one  side  was  to  face  the  sea.  The  three  sides  landward  were  to  be 
surrounded  by  a  rampart  and  moat.  It  was  to  be  called  Fort  Amsterdam.  Ten 
houses  were  to  be  built  outside,  under  the  wall.  A  school,  hospital,  prison  and 
church  were  also  to  be  built  and  their  dimensions  were  given.  A  broad  street  was 
to  lead  down  to  one  side  of  the  Fort,  and  smaller  streets,  which  were  to  be  numbered, 
were  to  lead  out  of  the  broad  street  at  regular  intervals,  the  intervening  ground  to 
be  used  for  growing  supplies.  The  number  of  houses  to  be  built  on  each  street  was 
stated,  and  their  general  character  and  dimensions  given.  We  know  these  details 
to-day,  because  a  copy  of  these  original  "Instructions  for  the  Building  of  the  Fort 
and  Town  in  New  Netherland,"  as  the  pamphlet  is  called,  is  in  the  possession  of 
Mr.  Henry  E.  Huntington  of  New  York,  and  a  very  interesting  little  document 
it  must  be.  These  instructions,  as  we  now  know  from  other  documents  of  the 
period,  were  never  carried  out  exactly,  but  tlie  divergence  was  very  slight.  Our 
picture  shows  almost  thirty  houses  in  all,  which  also  corresponds  with  the  number 
mentioned  by  Wassenaer,  the  contemporary  historian,  as  existing  toward  the  end 
of  1626,  who  described  the  settlement  in  a  letter  at  the  time. 

A  curious  error  was  made  in  not  reversing  the  original  sketch  when  the  en- 
graving was  made.  The  result  is  that  the  Fort  is  shown  on  the  east  instead  of  the 
west  side  of  the  land.  We  thought  it  best  to  take  no  liberties  with  so  important  a 
picture,  so  we  have  copied  it  exactly  as  it  is  shown  in  the  original,  which  is  owned  by 
the  New  York  Historical  Society.  By  holding  it  to  a  mirror  the  correct  view  is 
readily  seen.  5 

This  picture  first  appeared  in  a  little  quarto  book  describing  New  Amster- 
dam, published  by  Joost  Hartgers  of  Amsterdam  in  1651,  which  was  the  first  book 
ever  printed  in  Holland  about  its  new  possessions.  Very  few  copies  are  now  in  exis- 
tence and  these  are  so  valuable  that  the  whereabouts  of  each  one  is  known  and  re- 


[2] 


Early  Dutch  Engravings 


corded.  If  for  any  reason  one  should  be  offered  for  sale  there  would  be  many 
buyers,  notwithstanding  that  its  price  is  now  well  above  three  thousand  dollars. 

The  Hartgers  View,  as  it  is  historically  known,  at  which  we  have  just  been 
looking,  is  of  extraordinary  interest,  showing  as  it  does  the  beginning  of  the 
Colony.  We  see  exactly  how  the  Fort  looked,  the  size  and  general  appearance  of 
the  little  huts  or  houses  which  sheltered  the  little  band  of  original  New  Yorkers, 
and  other  homely  details. 

The  original  view  measures  4%  by  3^  inches  and  is  engraved  on  copper  and 
printed  in  black.    This  is  the  first  time  it  has  ever  been  shown  in  colors. 

The  next  view,  historically  speaking,  is  of  even  greater  interest,  as  until  its 
discovery  last  year  by  Mr.  Stokes  its  existence  was  never  known.  It  is  remark- 
ably well  drawn  and  beautifully  colored.  It  shows  the  city  a  few  years  after  the 
preceding  view.   This  view  is  now  known  as 

THE  STOKES  OR  PROTOTYPE  VIEW 

This  interesting  view,  which  we  reproduce  in  the  original  colors,  is  the  finest  and 
most  important  contemporary  representation  of  New  Amsterdam  that  has  come 
down  to  us.  It  was  found  in  the  Royal  Archives  of  The  Hague,  in  a  collection  of 
charts  and  views  of  the  Dutch  colonial  possessions  in  various  parts  of  the  globe, 
made  in  the  second  half  of  the  seventeenth  century,  probably  between  1655  and 
1696.  The  author  of  this  view  is  unknown.  It  is,  with  a  few  slight  variations, 
identical  with  the  Visscher  view  which  heretofore  was  regarded  as  the  second  view. 
And  whether  Visscher  copied  this  view  himself  or  whether  this  view  and  the  Vis- 
scher view  were  copied  from  a  coiximon  original,  not  yet  discovered  or  no  longer  in 
existence,  cannot  be  determined.  We  have  given  the  Visscher  view  on  the  page  fol- 
lowing this  Prototype  view,  so  that  our  readers  may  compare  them  for  them- 
selves. Apart  from  the  technical  side  involved,  it  makes  but  Httle  difference.  The 
main  thing  is  that  it  is  a  contemporary  drawing  of  our  city  in  or  about  the  years 
1650-53  and  was  drawn  by  some  one  who  actually  saw  the  city. 

The  view  is  taken  from  Governor's  Island  and  shows  the  east  shore  to  a  point 
within  a  short  distance  of  Coenties  Slip.  The  west  shore  in  the  distance  extends 
to  about  Rector  Street.  The  foreground,  though  no  doubt  slightly  exaggerated, 
is  not  so  much  so  as  in  other  early  views  (notably  the  Visscher  and  the  Montanus, 
which  follow  this  view) . 

The  appearance  of  the  shore  front  indicates  a  date  prior  to  the  erection  of 
bulklieads  along  the  river  bank.  These  were  ordered  by  the  Common  Council  on 
November  2,  1654,  and  again  on  September  25,  1656.  The  order  of  the  latter  date 
reads  as  follows: 

Whereas  the  sheeting  in  front  of  the  City  Hall  and  before  the  water  poort  on  the  East  River  and  there- 
about is  finished  and  is  further  continued  by  others  and  it  is  deemed  expedient  not  only  for  the  welfare  of 
the  city  in  general  but  of  the  neighbors  resident  about  the  beach  in  particular  that  the  sheeting  be  altogether 
erected  and  completed,  the  Burgomasters  and  Schepens  do,  therefore,  order,  and  hereby,  through  the  Court 
Messenger,  give  notice  to  all  those  who  have  any  houses  or  lots  on  the  East  River  .  .  .  properly  to  line 
with  sheet  planks  their  lots  according  to  the  executed  plan  and  survey,  between  this  and  the  xvii  December 
next  under  the  penalty  of  £F  26.  to  be  paid  by  each  one  who  shall  fail  to  perform  same,  which  shall  then  be 
done  at  the  expense  of  those  remaining  in  default. 


[5] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


The  City  Hall  at  this  time  was  in  Coenties  Slip  and  faced  the  river.  The 
"water  poort"  refers  to  the  gate  at  the  foot  of  the  stockade,  or  wall,  that  extended 
across  the  city  where  Wall  Street  now  is.  There  was  another  gate  called  the  land 
gate  at  the  other  end  of  the  stockade  at  Broadway.* 

It  all  seems  wonderfully  strange  and  ahnost  unbelievable  that  Pearl  Street 
was  a  beautiful  country  shore  road.  But  that  is  what  it  was  in  those  days — a  de- 
lightful sandy  road,  with  a  view  over  the  blue  waters  of  the  East  River  to  the 
beautiful  wooded  heights  of  Brooklyn  opposite.  All  the  land  east  of  Pearl  Street 
has  been  added  since  then — just  as  on  the  west  side  all  the  land  west  of  Green- 
wich has  been  added.  Our  island,  you  see,  was  a  good  deal  narrower  at  first  than 
it  is  now. 

This  picture  is  also  interesting  from  the  fact  tliat  it  is  quite  possible  to  identify 
each  house,  and  ascertain  the  name  of  each  person  living  in  it.  It  is  not  necessary 
that  we  should  do  so  here, — the  main  features  being  sufficient  for  our  purpose. 
There  is,  in  the  centre  foreground,  the  little  wooden  wharf  erected  at  Schreyer's 
llook  by  Stuyvesant  shortly  after  he  arrived  in  1648.  Close  to  which  are  the  crane 
and  the  "gallows" — or  rather  the  structure  which  has  been  so  called.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  no  one  was  ever  hanged  in  New  Amsterdam,  and  this  contrivance  was  no 
doubt  used  for  hoisting  and  weighing  merchandise,  drying  and  curing  meat  and 
other  kindred  uses,  as  the  early  records  speak  of  a  "beam"  used  for  these  purposes. 
Back  of  the  "gallows,"  as  we  shall  call  it,  is  the  small  weigh-house  which  we  know 
by  the  official  records,  pages  174  and  177,  Laws  and  Ordinances  of  New  Neth.,  "was 
caused  to  be  made  and  constructed"  by  Stuyvesant. 

The  most  prominent  feature  of  the  picture  is  of  course  the  Fort,  on  the 
extreme  left,  within  which  are  the  church,  governor's  house,  barracks,  officers' 
quarters  and  the  jail.  The  Wind  Mill  is  a  little  northwest  of  the  Fort,  or  about 
where  Greenwich  Street  starts  uptown  from  the  Battery  to-day. 

The  first  building  in  the  foreground  on  the  extreme  right  is  the  City  Tavern 
which  in  1653  was  converted  into  the  City  Hall,  or  Stadt  Huys.  Next  to  it  is 
vacant  land  on  which  Governor  Lovelace  subsequently  built  an  inn,  afterwards 
joining  it  to  the  Stadt  Huys  by  a  bridge. 

This  view  depicts  New  York  under  its  best  and  last  Dutch  Governor — Petrus 
Stuyvesant.  It  was  drawn  about  1650  or  1653  and  first  published  probably  in 
1670.  In  connection  with  the  two  views  which  follow — the  Visscher  and  the 
Montanus  views — we  have  no  less  than  four  contemporaneous  drawings  of  our  city 
in  its  very  earliest  stages.  No  other  municipality  in  the  world  possesses  a  similar 
collection.  It  gives  a  good  idea  of  Dutch  progress  during  the  twenty  years  that 
elapsed  since  the  Hartgers  View.  Without  doubt  the  discovery  of  so  complete  and 
perfect  a  view  of  our  city  was  a  rare  piece  of  good  fortune  which  comes  to  the  his- 
torian only  occasionally  and  at  long  intervals.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind,  however, 
that  these  discoveries  are  not  the  result  of  "luck"  but  were  preceded  by  years  of 
patient  research.  Nearly  six  years  elapsed  before  the  first  volume  of  Mr.  Stokes's 
book  was  issued  to  the  public. 

*  See  Wall  Street  in  History, 


[6] 


Eaely  Dutch  Engravings 


THE  SECOND  VIEW  OF  NEW  YORK 
THE  VISSGHER  VIEW 

This  drawing  is  remarkably  interesting,  partly  because  of  the  excellent  skill 
in  delineating  the  city  and  partly  because  it  is  unquestionably  the  second  known 
engraved  view  of  New  Amsterdam. 

On  account  of  its  superior  workmanship,  it  has  exerted  a  larger  degree  of  in- 
fluence on  other  artists  than  almost  any  other  drawing.  Almost  every  artist  who 
was  asked  to  illustrate  the  city  would  copy  the  Visscher  View. 

The  genuine  Visscher  appears  first  as  a  vignette  in  the  lower  right  hand  cor- 
ner of  a  map  drawn  by  Visscher  and  not,  as  we  would  suppose,  as  a  view  itself.  It 
was  afterward  copied  on  several  other  maps,  notably  the  Vander  Donck  and  Jus- 
tus Danckers. 

There  is  a  remarkable  similarity  between  it  and  the  Prototype  View  already 
mentioned,  and  whether  the  latter  view  was  made  also  by  Visscher,  or  both  he  and 
the  prototype  artist  copied  from  an  original  that  has  since  disappeared,  is  an  in- 
teresting question. 

At  all  events,  there  is  no  doubt  that  Visscher  made  this  drawing  between  the 
years  1651  and  1653  and  it  must  ever  remain  among  the  very  valuable  drawings 
of  Old  New  York. 

There  are  two  issues,  or  "states,"  of  this  drawing,  the  first  as  engraved  by 
Nicholas  J.  Visscher  undated,  but  probably  printed  about  1653  or  1655.  In  the 
second  state  the  plate  was  retouched  by  the  son  and  reprinted  with  the  date  1671, 
and  the  name  New  Amsterdam  takes  the  place  of  Manhattan.  No  other  changes 
were  made,  and  it  remains  one  of  our  most  interesting  pictures  of  these  first  and 
early  days. 

THE  THIRD  VIEW  OF  NEW  YORK 

THE  FAMOUS  MONTANUS  VIEW 

We  now  come  to  another  fascinating  picture — the  well-known  Montanus 
View.  For  many  years  it  ranked  second  in  importance  to  the  Hartgers  View.  It 
will  probably  continue  so  to  rank  although  the  Prototype  View  which  we  have  just 
described  seems  more  entitled  to  the  honor. 

The  Montanus  View  derives  added  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  is  generally 
regarded  as  the  work  of  Augustin  Herrmann,  one  of  the  nine  men  who  made  a 
sketch  of  the  young  city  to  which  Stuyvesant  specifically  refers  in  a  letter  dated 
October  6,  1660,  to  the  officials  of  the  West  India  Company  which  we  find  in  the 
New  York  Colonial  Documents,  Vol.  XIV,  486,  as  follows : 

Honorable,  Wise,  Prudent  and  Very  Worshipful  Gentlemen: 

After  closing  our  letter  the  Burgomasters  have  shown  us  the  plan  of  this  city  which  we  did  not  think 
would  be  ready  before  the  sailing  of  this  ship.  In  case  you  should  be  inclined  to  have  it  engraved  and  publish 
it,  we  thought  it  advisable  to  send  you  also  a  small  sketch  of  the  city,  drawn  in  perspective  by  Sieur  Augus- 
tin Herrmann  three  or  four  years  ago,  or  perhaps  you  will  hang  it  up  in  some  place  or  other  there.  For  the 
present  we  have  no  other  wish  than  that  the  place  may  gradually  increase. 


[9] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


This  is  a  delightfully  intimate  glance  at  first  hands  of  the  little  city,  and  de- 
rives special  interest  from  the  fact  that  the  drawing  was  undoubtedly  passed  from 
hand  to  hand  during  the  meeting  of  the  liurgomasters  described  in  Stuyvesant's 
letter,  and  we  can  imagine  them  criticising  this  detail  and  that,  but  on  the  whole 
being  so  well  pleased  with  the  sketch  that  they  sent  it  to  the  home  office  in  the  hope 
that  there  it  would  be  printed  and  their  little  colony  made  more  widely  known  in 
Europe.  It  is  pleasant  to  know  that  their  suggestion  was  followed,  and  that  the 
picture  was  subsequently  printed  both  in  England  and  Holland,  although  it  was 
some  years  later  before  it  appeared,  namely  in  1671.  Harvard  University  has  a 
copy  bearing  this  date,  as  has  also  our  own  New  York  Historical  Society. 

In  this  picture  we  see  the  gradual  unfolding  of  the  baby  metropolis.  Its 
growing  importance  is  indicated  by  the  appearance  of  some  ships  in  the  foreground, 
and  a  scene  of  greater  activity  is  suggested  by  larger  numbers  of  people  on  the 
shore.  The  town  was  now  under  the  care  of  Stuyvesant,  and  the  conduct  of  pub- 
lic affairs  had  greatly  improved.  The  effects  of  the  disastrous  Indian  wars  need- 
lessly provoked  by  Kieft,  and  which  almost  resulted  in  the  destruction  of  the  colony, 
and  the  equally  blundering  stupidity  of  his  successor  Van  Twiller,  had  left  a  rather 
discouraging  task  for  Stuyvesant. 

The  tremendous  impress  made  by  the  Dutch  on  the  history  of  New  York  is, 
however,  incontrovertible  proof  that,  no  matter  how  far  short  their  rulers  were  in 
enterprise  and  sagacity,  the  people  ther  selves  were  of  a  superior  character.  Not- 
withstanding their  feebleness  in  numbers  and  their  subsequent  absorption  by  the 
English,  their  laws,  language  and  church  preserved  their  identity  long  after  their 
early  days  were  almost  forgotten.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  sermons  continued  to  be 
preached  in  the  original  Dutch  language  in  New  York  as  late  as  1810  ( ?),  and  the 
Dutch  Church  as  an  organization  still  retains  its  individuality,  and  some  of  its 
records  have  come  down  to  us  in  unbroken  sequence  from  the  establislunent  of  the 
first  church  in  the  Fort,  the  lineal  descendant  of  which  is  the  Collegiate  Reformed 
Church  now  standing  on  Fifth  Avenue  at  the  corner  of  Twenty-ninth  Street. 

ANOTHER  LATE  AND  VALUABLE  DISCOVERY 

THE  VINGBOOM  SURVEY :  1639 

During  the  work  prosecuted  by  Mr.  Stokes  in  the  preparation  of  his  now 
famous  Iconography  of  Manhattan  Island,  he  had  the  rare  good  fortune  to  unearth 
another  hitherto  unknown  item  pertaining  to  the  early  days  of  New  York — the 
earliest  plan  of  the  city  which  has  come  down  to  us  from  the  Dutch  days — known 
as  the  Castello  Plan.  This  wonderful  Castello  drawing  depicts  in  minute  detail  vir- 
tually every  topographical  feature,  and  every  building  which  existed  in  the  little 
town  of  New  Amsterdam  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1660.  By  the  aid,  again,  of  con- 
temporary records,  and  especially  of  a  manuscript  street  directory  of  the  city  be- 
longing to  this  same  year,  also  discovered  by  Mr.  Stokes,  it  has  proved  possible  to 
determine  the  owner  and  occupant  of  nearly  every  house,  and  to  give  many  inter- 


[10] 


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Early  Dutch  Engravings 


esting  facts  concerning  the  city  itself  before  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Eng- 
lish. Together  these  two  drawings,  Manatus  and  Castello  Maps,  add  materially 
to  our  knowledge  of  the  original  settlers,  and  make  a  highly  valuable  addition  to 
the  sources  of  knowledge  on  this  subject  already  possessed. 

The  Manatus  Map — a  recent  wonderful  addition  to  the  early  records  of  New 
York — can  be  positively  dated  as  1639,  and  is  the  earliest  known  survey  of  Man- 
hattan Island.  Its  existence  had  long  been  known  from  contemporary  records, 
but  it  remained  in  obscurity  for  nearly  two  hundred  years.  A  copy  was  then  lo- 
cated in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Henry  Harrisse  in  Paris,  who  consistently  refused 
to  allow  it  to  be  reproduced.  He  recently  died  and  left  this  priceless  document 
to  the  Library  of  Congress.  Before  it  was  sent  here,  however,  Mr.  Stokes  ob- 
tained the  consent  of  the  executors  and  of  the  French  Government  to  have  it  photo- 
graphed. Our  reproduction  is  the  only  colored  one  ever  made  and  is  from  the 
copy  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress  at  Washington. 

It  is  of  the  first  importance,  as  it  shows  every  plantation,  bouwerie,  road,  or 
building  erected  on  Manhattan  Island  during  the  first  thirteen  or  fourteen  years 
of  its  occupation.  It  gives  the  names  of  more  than  forty  of  the  earliest  settlers 
on  Manhattan,  and  in  the  Bronx.  A  few  also  are  shown  in  Brooklyn,  Staten 
Island  and  New  Jersey.  A  curious  fact  in  this  connection  is  that  the  name  of 
Coney  Island  is  given,  and  does  not  differ  very  much  in  the  old  Dutch  tongue 
from  its  present  designation. 

This  map  was  originally  made  for  the  Dutch  West  India  Company.  It  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Hulst  and  Van  Keulen,  publishers,  of  Amsterdam,  early  in  the 
seventeenth  century.  If  it  was  published  in  1639  and  not  merely  drawn,  it  ante- 
dates the  Hartgers  View  by  several  years  and  would  be  entitled  to  the  highest  rank 
among  the  old  drawings  of  New  York.  That,  however,  is  problematical. 

At  all  events,  it  disappeared  for  over  two  hundred  years  and  was  not  seen 
again  till  it  was  exhibited  at  Paris  in  1892  during  the  Columbian  Exhibition  of 
Maps  and  Globes  in  July  of  that  year.  It  at  once  aroused  the  keenest  interest 
among  antiquarians  and  historians  but  its  possession  was  jealously  guarded  and 
not  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Harrisse,  its  owner,  in  the  summer  of  1915  was  free 
access  to  it  possible.  The  original  copy  measures  about  27  x  19  inches.  It  is  per- 
fectly preserved,  the  colors  laid  by  the  hands  of  Joan  Vingboom  being  firm  and  the 
lines  clear  and  strong. 

Immediately  upon  its  receipt  by  the  Congressional  Library  at  Washington, 
Mr.  Edward  Van  Winkle,  Recording  Secretary  of  the  Holland  Society,  reproduced 
it  in  cloth  in  black.  Mr.  Dingman  Veersteeg  made  the  English  translation  of  the 
names,  etc.,  and  between  the  two  it  is  now  possible  to  obtain  practically  a  dupli- 
cate.  Our  copy  is  the  first  one  to  be  shown  in  colors. 

As  this  is  a  remarkably  valuable  contribution  to  the  early  history  of  New 
York,  it  may  be  of  interest  to  read  the  names  of  the  persons  who  actually  occupied 
these  farms  and  plantations  before  the  days  of  subways  and  skyscrapers.  The  list 
from  Van  Winkle's  translation  will  be  found  under  the  picture. 


[13] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


HOUSES  IMPROVE  IN  QUALITY 

From  the  maps  and  views  that  we  have  already  examined  we  have  now  a  very 
good  general  idea  of  the  character  of  houses  built  by  the  Dutch.  The  original 
thatched  huts  for  temporary  use  quickly  disappeared  and  were  supplanted  by 
buildings  of  a  fairly  good  character.  The  roofs  are  variously  colored,  some  red, 
some  green  and  others  natural  brown.  They  present  a  rather  orderly  array,  and 
their  close  proximity  to  each  other  and  to  the  Fort  was  of  course  dictated  by  pru- 
dence. Indians  and  wild  beasts  were  among  the  occasional  visitors  and  farms  re- 
mote from  the  village  were  more  or  less  exposed  to  sudden  attacks.  As  our 
narrative  proceeds  the  pictures  will  gradually  disclose  a  more  substantially  built 
city,  in  which  brick  figures  prominently  as  building  material,  and  the  shore  road 
begins  to  reveal  slips,  docks  and  other  indications  of  advancing  settlement.  And  as 
the  town  passes  into  English  control  these  improvements  increase  more  rapidly,  and 
the  city  gradually  takes  on  the  outward  and  visible  signs  of  a  prosperous  seaport. 

Curiously  enough,  the  advent  of  the  English  did  not  aim  at  obhterating  the 
customs  of  its  former  occupants.  The  Dutch  were  invited  to  a  liberal  share  in  the 
new  municipal  government,  their  tongue  was  declared  to  be  official  as  well  as  the 
English,  and  the  one  church  was  divided  amicably  between  the  two.  Dutch  ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  morning  and  English  in  the  afternoon.  In  fact,  the  easy- 
going, liberal  government  of  the  English  suited  the  burgher  much  better  than  the 
paternal  but  harsh  rule  of  Stuyvesant.  Although  Stuyvesant  governed  with  a  mea- 
sure of  efficiency  far  above  his  predecessors,  he  was  nevertheless  sternly  recalled 
to  Ajnsterdam,  there  to  be  severely  rebuked  for  failing  to  defend  a  town  in  which 
every  inhabitant  had  already  decided  to  surrender !  Stuyvesant,  however,  retained 
his  affection  for  the  little  settlement  in  America  and  returned  to  New  York,  where 
he  made  his  home.  His  "Bouwerie"  was  reached  through  a  pleasant  country  road 
running  along  what  is  now  the  Bowery,  and  Peter sfield,  his  residence,  stood  at  about 
the  corner  of  Third  Avenue  and  Twelfth  Street.  Mrs.  Lamb  tells  us  that  he  be- 
came very  popular  with  the  English  rulers,  and  that  his  seat  was  frequently  the 
scene  of  many  notable  gatherings.  He  became  greatly  interested  in  the  Dutch 
Church,  and  in  other  ways  identified  himself  with  the  life  of  the  city  until  his  death 
in  his  eightieth  year. 

With  the  passing  of  the  last  and  greatest  of  the  Dutch  Governors  the  last 
remaining  link  which  bound  the  English  to  the  original  proprietors  was  severed, 
and  the  Colony  soon  lost  trace  of  its  Dutch  origin  except  such  as  was  suggested 
by  the  churches  which  continued  to  flourish  and  multiply. 

It  is  sometimes  regretted  that  the  splendid  talents  of  Washington  Irving 
were  not  devoted  to  a  more  serious  consideration  of  the  Dutch  rule  in  New  York 
than  he  has  given  us  in  his  whimsical  sketch  of  the  city  under  the  Burghers.  He 
lived  at  a  time  when  the  impress  was  still  strongly  in  e-vidence,  and  the  genius  that 
gave  us  the  Conquest  of  Granada  would  surely  have  shed  lustre  upon  those  fateful 
first  years  of  New  York  as  no  one  else  could  have  done.  The  reflections  of  Died- 
rich  Knickerbocker  must  for  all  time  color  our  impressions  of  the  Dutch,  although 


[14] 


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Early  Dutch  Engravings 


in  the  splendid  line  of  Knickerbocker  descendants  still  in  New  York,  we  know  that 
the  sturdy  character  of  their  forebears  has  stamped  indelibly  their  most  desirable 
traits  on  the  history  of  New  York. 

EARLY  FARM  GRANTS  SOUTH  OF  WALL  STREET 

Another  document  which  will  be  examined  with  deep  interest  is  the  map  show- 
ing the  original  grants  of  the  farms  lying  south  of  Wall  Street.  By  careful 
examination  of  the  old  Dutch  records  this  map  was  produced  by  the  late  David 
T.  Valentine,  for  nearly  thirty  years  editor  of  the  famous  Manuals  of  the  Cor- 
poration of  the  City  of  New  York.  Leases  were  usually  made  for  a  period  of  six 
years,  and  sometimes  carried  with  them  the  right  of  permanent  tenure  or  conveyance, 
but  the  Company  usually  reserved  the  right  to  the  land  should  it  be  needed  by 
them  at  the  expiration  of  the  lease.  The  most  famous  grant  among  them  is  the 
one  that  ultimately  became  the  present  Trinity  Church  Corporation.  In  1636  Van 
Twiller  permitted  Roelof  Jansen  to  occupy  sixty-two  acres.  Jansen  did  not  live 
long  and  his  widow  married  Domine  Bogardus  and  was  subsequently  confirmed 
in  her  possession  of  the  land  by  a  formal  instrument,  and  this  farmstead  was 
known  for  many  years  thereafter  as  the  "Anneke  Jans  farm."  It  was  a  part  of  the 
famous  grant  which  Queen  Anne  made  over  to  Trinity  Church.  One  of  the  chil- 
dren of  Anneke  Jans  was  said  to  be  incompetent  and  did  not  affix  her  signature 
to  the  document  at  the  time  of  its  transfer  to  Trinity,  and  on  the  strength  of  this 
and  the  enormous  increase  in  the  value  of  the  property,  numerous  suits  were 
brought  against  Trinity  at  various  times  down  to  our  own  day.  An  act 
of  the  Legislature  was  finally  passed  prohibiting  further  litigation,  as  it  had  be- 
come a  scandal  of  the  most  flagrant  kind,  and  many  ignorant  persons  throughout 
the  land  were  made  the  victims  of  unscrupulous  lawyers,  who  induced  them  to  at- 
tack the  Church  on  the  ground  that  they  were  descendants  (?)  of  this  unfortu- 
nate child  of  Anneke  Jans  and  had  been  unlawfully  deprived  of  their  property. 

The  earliest  known  private  conveyances  of  land  on  the  island  began  in  1638, 
and  the  earliest  outright  ground-brief  was  for  two  hundred  acres  of  ground  in  Har- 
lem dated  July  20,  1638,  to  Andries  Hudde.  This  old  map  is  very  interesting, 
taking  us  as  it  does  back  to  the  days  when  lower  Broadway  and  the  whole  financial 
district  was  farm  land,  growing  cabbage  and  potatoes,  and  the  country  roads  re- 
sounded only  to  the  footfall  of  the  sturdy  farmer  driving  his  cattle  to  and  from 
the  pasturage.  No  traces  of  these  peaceful  days  are  now  left,  except  the  occa- 
sional bleating  of  a  few  lambs  in  Wall  Street. 

THE  "RESTITUTIO"  VIEW 

Another  view  of  the  city  which  possesses  a  degree  of  interest  all  its  own  is 
shown  following  the  Montanus  View.  This  is  known  as  the  Restitutio  View  and, 
as  its  title  indicates,  was  taken  to  commemorate  the  recapture  of  New  York  by 
the  Dutch,  August  24,  1673,  when  the  name  was  changed  to  New  Orange.  Al- 


[17] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


though  the  title  on  the  sketch  is  dated  1673,  certain  discrepancies  in  the  buildings 
shown  indicate  that  it  was  probably  drawn  a  few  months  later. 

This  is  the  first  view  to  show  the  canal  in  Broad  Street  in  a  completed  state, 
with  the  sides  fully  walled  in.  It  is  also  the  first  to  show  the  tavern  built  by 
Lovelace  in  1670  just  south  of  the  City  Hall.  The  latter  building  is  also  shown 
without  a  cupola,  which  is  no  doubt  an  error,  for  one  existed  before  this  time,  as  the 
Burgomasters  petitioned  Stuyvesant  for  the  bell  which  stood  "idle  in  the  Fort  either 
as  a  present  or  on  valuation,  to  hang  it  and  to  make  use  of  it  at  the  City  Hall." 
Three  fortified  redoubts  are  also  shown,  which  corresponds  with  a  contemporane- 
ous statement  in  a  description  of  the  city  in  1661  as  recorded  in  Jameson's  Nar- 
rative of  New  Netherland.  They  then  said  they  "would  build  2  halfe  moons  more 
between  yt  [tlie  Stadt  Huys]  and  the  Northeast  gate." 

Wliile  this  is  undoubtedly  a  very  good  view  of  New  York  at  the  time,  it  is 
rather  exaggerated  in  several  particulars — the  piling  around  the  water  front  was 
on  no  such  elaborate  scale  nor  so  far  extended.  The  well-known  Burghers'  path 
is  also  missing.  All  these  mistakes  could  easily  be  admitted,  however,  without  de- 
tracting materially  from  the  real  value  of  the  work,  which  is  a  contemporary  draw- 
ing of  the  date  it  records.  And  as  a  reminder  of  the  Dutch  jubilation  and  rejoic- 
ing at  their  renewed  hopes  of  an  Empire  in  America  the  Restitutio  drawing,  in 
view  of  the  short  duration  of  these  hopes,  is  not  without  its  pathos  as  well. 

For  a  long  time  afterwards  this  drawing  had  great  influence  on  all  the  carto- 
graphers and  artists  who  portrayed  New  York.  It  is  seen  in  the  maps  of  Carolus 
Allard  and  soon  displaces  the  Visscher  View,  which  up  to  that  time  had  been  the 
favorite  view  for  small  embellishments  in  maps  pertaining  to  North  America. 

Allard  was  an  artist  who  visited  all  parts  of  the  world  and  ultimately  published 
a  book  showing  a  hundred  different  cities  and  seaports  in  various  remote  regions 
and  it  was  during  this  period  that  he  made  his  drawing  of  New  York. 

This  is  the  fifth  known  engraved  view  of  New  Amsterdam,  and  the  eleventh  if 
we  include  in  this  category  all  the  maps  and  drawings  that  were  published  up  to 
this  time,  and  is  unique  as  the  only  drawing  of  the  city  made  during  the  period  when 
New  York  was  New  Orange  and  once  again  in  the  hands  of  its  original  proprietors. 
To  us,  the  most  important  feature  is  the  very  perceptible  evidence  of  the  city's 
growth  compared  with  the  pictures  that  have  gone  before.  The  houses  are  more 
numerous,  the  water  front  has  everywhere  gained  in  improvements,  and  the  canal 
is  no  longer  a  ditch  but  is  neatly  boarded  up  on  both  sides.  It  is  evident  to  the 
most  casual  observer  that  New  York  in  the  nine  years  that  have  elapsed  since  the 
English  occupation  has  made  noticeable  progress.  The  population  at  this  time  had 
also  shown  a  marked  increase,  being  now  4,000. 

In  viewing  the  sky  line  of  New  York  to-day  from  the  Brooklyn  side  it  is 
interesting  to  note  the  general  resemblance  of  the  city  to  its  earliest  known 
characteristics.  There  is  of  course  a  vast  difference  in  the  height  and  solidity  of 
the  buildings,  but  the  curious  tapering  shape  of  the  end  of  the  island  is  still  plainly 
preserved,  and  no  one  would  mistake  the  Visscher  View  for  that  of  any  other  city 
than  the  one  in  mind. 

[18] 


Eably  Dutch  Engrayings 


THE  DUKE'S  PLAN 

This  is  a  particularly  interesting  drawing  for  various  reasons.  The  original 
drawing,  for  instance,  was  the  personal  property  of  King  George  III  of  tragic 
memory.  As  befits  the  property  of  a  king  it  is  of  generous  size,  27^4  x  21% 
inches,  and  is  brilliantly  painted  in  colors  on  heavy  vellum,  decorated  with  gold. 
Upon  the  death  of  King  George,  who  had  made  an  unrivalled  collection  of  maps 
and  plans  of  his  "beloved"  colonies  in  America,  the  collection  passed  to  George 
IV,  who  in  turn  presented  it  to  the  British  Museum,  where  it  now  reposes.  It  is 
our  city  as  it  was  when  as  New  Amsterdam  it  surrendered  to  the  English  and  was 
rechristened  New  York  in  compliment  to  its  new  owner,  the  Duke  of  York.  This 
plan  was  made  for  his  personal  use  and  has  ever  since  been  known  as  "The  Duke's 
Plan."  Its  geographical  title  should  be,,  properly  speaking,  "A  Plan  of  New 
York,  late  New  Amsterdam,  in  1664."  The  drawing  itself  and  surveys  are  of  1661 
and  the  author  was  probably  Augustin  Herrmann,  of  whom  mention  has  been 
made  before. 

Curiously  enough,  this  important  plan,  hke  the  Manatus  Map,  lay  unheeded 
and  unknown  in  the  British  Museum  for  over  two  centuries.  The  late  George  H. 
Moore,  the  accomplished  librarian  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  was  the 
man  to  discover  and  resurrect  it  as  a  feature  for  Valentine's  Manual,  in  which  it 
appeared  in  1859.  It  at  once  arrested  the  attention  of  scholars  and  historians  and 
much  speculation  has  arisen  concerning  certain  features  which  to  this  day  have  re- 
ceived no  satisfactory  solution. 

The  date  1664  and  the  British  flags  on  the  ships  lend  color  to  the  supposition 
that  the  map  was  originally  drawn  by  a  Dutchman  in  1661,  and  at  the  time  of  the 
surrender  to  the  English  in  1664  was  then  enlarged,  redrawn  and  embellished 
under  the  direction  of  the  Governor  who  desired  to  send  it  to  his  royal  patron,  the 
Duke  of  York,  to  show  the  picture  or  plan  of  the  city  which  he  had  just  captured. 
And  here  comes  in  the  mystery. 

The  description  of  this  map  has  been  found  to  agree  with  conditions  in  the 
years  1661-62.  That  has  been  carefully  studied  and  finally  accepted  by  investiga- 
tors. The  map  itself  is  also  inscribed,  "As  it  was  in  September  1661."  The  inter- 
esting question  raised  is  this.  Why  was  a  map  of  1661  sent  to  the  Duke  of  York 
purporting  to  be  as  of  1664?  Were  the  map  and  the  description  both  the  work 
of  English  spies?  In  September,  1661,  the  English  had  designs  on  New  Nether- 
land,  as  we  now  know.  The  Dutch,  learning  of  the  plans,  promptly  took  measures 
for  defense,  which  included  strengthening  of  the  Fort.  Nothing  came  of  the  pro- 
posed invasion  this  year,  however,  and  the  supposition  is  that  this  plan  was  part  of 
a  spy's  report. 

This,  however,  is  only  interesting  as  part  of  the  legends  which  in  time  gather 
around  a  great  historical  event.  While  the  survey  may  have  been  completed  in 
1661,  it  was  undoubtedly  added  to  and  corrected  by  Nicolls  at  the  time  he  had  this 
map  drawn.  It  has  a  particular  interest  for  us,  as  it  marks  the  second  most  im- 
portant event  in  the  history  of  New  York  (if  we  regard  the  discovery  as  first),  and 


[21] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


that  is  its  final  entrance  into  the  great  English  confederacy  in  America  and  the 
complete  shattering  of  a  dream  of  Dutch  dominion  in  the  New  World.  It  is 
therefore  not  without  its  dramatic  side  as  well  as  its  historical  significance,  and 
whether  it  was  actually  di*awn  by  Herrmann,  Jacques,  Cortelyou,  Hack,  or  de  la 
Montague,  matters  but  little  to  us  to-day — the  map's  the  thing. 

It  gives  a  correct  bird's-eye  view  of  the  city  as  it  appeared  the  year  the  English 
took  possession.  It  records  some  additional  features  not  shown  on  preceding  views. 
A  few  new  houses  appear,  the  beginning  of  Broadway  is  clearly  defined,  "the 
ferry  to  Brueckelen"  and  Alderton's  Building  being  the  most  noticeable.  It  is  also 
the  first  plan  to  show  three  bridges  over  the  canal  in  Broad  Street. 

This  map  appropriately  marks  the  end  of  our  city  as  a  Burgher  city.  With 
the  exception  of  one  other  view — "the  Restitutio" — no  pictures  are  extant  of  New 
York  as  a  dependency  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  or  of  the  States-Gen- 
eral of  Holland. 

THE  VIEWS  BY  LAURENS  BLOCK 

Along  in  the  early  80's  Mr.  C.  E.  Detmold,  a  member  of  the  New  York  His- 
torical Society,  presented  the  Society  with  a  drawing  of  unusual  interest  and  with 
a  remarkable  history.  The  date  of  the  view  is  fixed  by  the  inscription  in  the  lower 
left-hand  margin,  which  has  been  interpreted  to  read:  "In  the  ship  Lydia  by  Lau- 
rens Block  son  of  Herman  in  the  year  1650."  Bibliophiles  are,  however,  puzzled 
over  part  of  the  translation,  which  might  mean  "passage"  ship,  indicating  that  the 
ship  in  the  foreground  was  the  "Lydia"  and  that  she  was  regularly  engaged  in  car- 
rying freight  and  passengers  to  and  from  Amsterdam.  This  is  a  very  interesting 
theory,  and  if  true  would  suggest  many  other  possibilities.  The  weight  of  evidence, 
however,  seems  to  be  against  this  contention.  Had  there  been  any  regular  pas- 
senger ships  some  record  would  undoubtedly  have  been  found  either  among  the 
voluminous  correspondence  of  the  West  India  Company  or  in  other  documents 
of  that  time.  None  appears,  however,  so  we  are  obliged  to  forego  this  interesting 
and  fanciful  speculation. 

This  drawing  was  picked  up  in  The  Hague  in  1880  and  secured  by  Mr.  Det- 
mold, who  happened  to  be  there  at  the  time.  It  differs  somewhat  from  the  Vis- 
scher  View,  having,  for  instance,  no  "gallows";  and  the  little  pier  or  wooden 
wharf  built  by  Stuyvesant  in  1649  cannot  be  positively  identified,  though  it  may 
be  hidden  behind  a  group  of  boats  just  south  of  the  crane. 

Some  criticism  might  also  be  made  of  the  foreground,  which  is  undoubtedly 
exaggerated,  and  the  location  of  some  of  the  better  known  buildings — the  Stadt 
Huys,  for  instance — is  not  correctly  placed  though  the  difference  is  not  great. 
There  are  some  who  incline  to  the  opinion  that  this  is  the  original  sketch  made  by 
Augustin  Herrmann  referred  to  by  Stuyvesant  in  his  letter  to  the  West  India 
Company  (1660).  It  is  rather  sketchily  drawn  compared  with  the  Visscher  and 
other  views,  but  the  general  appearance  of  the  drawing  and  the  old  frame  in  which 
it  is  enclosed  leave  little  doubt  of  its  authenticity. 

Another  view  closely  resembling  the  one  just  described  forms  the  next  im- 


[22] 


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lift 


Eakly  Dutch  Engravings 


portant  drawing  of  Dutch  days.  It  differs  materially  in  certain  details  compared 
with  the  Block  picture.  For  instance,  the  City  Tavern,  which  is  so  prominent  a 
feature  of  the  other  sketch,  is  totally  missing  from  this.  The  date  of  this  drawing 
is  a  few  years  earlier  (1643)  than  the  Historical  Society's  (1650),  and  one  or  two 
details  in  it  are  not  found  in  the  former.  These  are  the  three  windmills  west  and 
north  of  the  Fort.  We  know  from  the  Manatus  Maps  that  in  1639  two  windmills 
actually  existed  near  the  Fort.  This  goes  far  to  establish  it  as  authentic  and  con- 
temporary, and  supplies  a  delightful  addition  to  the  none  too  long  list  of  early 
Dutch  drawings.  The  artist  is  not  definitely  known,  but  there  seems  no  doubt  that 
it  was  drawn  by  Laurens  Block,  the  same  who  made  the  one  possessed  by  the  New 
York  Historical  Society.  It  must  be  considered  one  of  the  most  important  docu- 
ments that  have  come  down  to  us  from  the  Dutch  period  and  makes  an  admirable 
addition  to  the  drawing  of  1650. 

With  this  drawing,  therefore,  we  shall  end  our  consideration  of  these  wonder- 
fully fascinating  little  Dutch  pictures  that  mean  so  much  to  the  New  Yorker.  We 
feel  sure  he  has  enjoyed  our  attempt  to  tell  him  about  them  and  has  not  begrudged 
the  space  it  has  required. 

There  are,  however,  other  almost  equally  interesting  features  about  the  city 
to  which  we  must  pass  on.  And  in  the  stories  of  Wall  Street  and  Broadway  which 
follow  the  reader  will  be  all  the  better  able  to  follow  and  understand  their  devel- 
opment from  the  study  he  has  already  bestowed  upon  these  early  engravings. 


[25] 


CHAPTER  II 

WALL  STREET  IN  HISTORY 

Erection  of  the  Cattle  Guard  afterward  Made  a  Stockade  or  Wall 

Early  in  the  morning  of  March  31,  1644,  there  was  an  unwonted  stir  among 
the  few  settlers  who  dwelt  in  the  straggling  huts  just  outside  of  Fort  Amsterdam 
the  little  fur-trading  post  which  rejoiced  in  the  rather  impressive  but  not  alto- 
gether suggestive  title  of  New  Amsterdam  on  the  Island  of  Manhatta.  Of  no 
particular  importance  by  itself,  it  figured  prominently  in  the  chancelleries  of 
Europe  as  a  possession  of  one  of  its  most  powerful  states.  And  the  public  notice 
tacked  on  the  trees  that  morning  gave  no  hint  of  the  leading  role  afterwards  to  be 
played  in  the  History  of  Nations  by  the  street  thus  strangely  called  into  being. 
For  we  learn  by  the  Minutes  of  the  Directors  and  Council  of  New  Netherland  in 
the  Colonial  records  that  on  this  particular  date  it  was  resolved  that  steps  should 
be  forthwith  taken  to  prevent  cattle  from  straying  into  the  woods  on  the  north 
and  that  a  barrier  should  be  erected  on  the  northerly  line  of  the  clearing  that  would 
serve  this  purpose  and  at  the  same  time  be  strong  enough  also  to  afford  protection 
from  the  Indians. 

Monday,  the  4th  of  April,  at  seven  o'clock  was  the  time  appointed  for  the 
beginning  of  the  work,  and  promptly  at  the  hour  the  citizens  assembled  to  begin 
the  construction  of  the  barrier,  and  within  a  few  days  the  work  was  completed. 

The  records  do  not  state  exactly  what  form  of  construction  was  adopted,  but 
from  such  evidence  as  has  been  accepted  as  reliable,  it  consisted  mainly  of  forest 
trees  felled  where  they  stood  and  arranged  with  the  trunks  facing  south  in  a 
straight  line  and  the  branches  lying  to  the  woods  at  the  north.  Maps  and  other 
documents  show  that  the  barrier  thus  commenced  ran  across  the  northern  boun- 


[26] 


^li!liiliii:;ii!!i!lii!!llil(!i!lil!il!l!Hilii^^ 


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mi:KOi_)>i-tDOO 


Wall  Street  in  History 


dary  of  the  cleared  section  of  the  settlement,  which  at  that  time  corresponded  with 
a  line  about  one  hundred  feet  north  of  our  present  Wall  Street.  How  the  major 
portion  of  that  hundred  feet,  which  was  included  in  the  original  plan  for  Wall 
Street,  was  subsequently  stolen  and  the  most  important  thoroughfare  in  our 
great  city  reduced  in  width  to  a  miserable  thirty-six  feet,  will  be  explained  in  a 
later  section.  With  the  completion  of  this  barrier,  but  little  more  than  a  cattle 
guard,  the  location  of  the  most  important  thoroughfare  in  our  country  was  defi- 
nitely begun.  At  the  beginning  the  barrier  did  not  quite  bisect  the  island  as  it  did 
later.  The  city  was  much  narrower  in  those  days  and  there  was  a  high  promontory 
where  Trinity  now  stands  which  formed  a  sort  of  natural  obstacle.  So  the  original 
barrier  began  on  the  east  at  a  point  about  where  William  Street  now  is  and  ended 
at  the  foot  of  the  eminence  we  have  just  spoken  of  at  Broadway.  At  William 
Street  it  swung  a  little  to  the  south  and  continued  till  it  joined  the  canal  at  Bea- 
ver Street.  Probably  it  soon  spread  across  the  island  completely,  as  it  marked  the 
northern  limit  of  New  Amsterdam  in  1644,  but  the  location  we  have  just  cited 
is  taken  from  the  Dutch  records  and  is  historically  accurate.  Undoubtedly  the 
natural  trend  of  the  street  would  be  in  the  direction  of  both  rivers,  but  it  is  not 
until  nine  years  later  that  the  Records  again  resume  the  history  of  Wall  Street  and 
present  us  with  the  official  facts  regarding  the  next  step  of  its  growth  which  carried 
it  from  one  side  of  the  city  to  the  other. 

Early  in  1653  news  of  the  troubles  between  England  and  the  United  Prov- 
inces reached  the  little  colony  on  Manhattan  Island  and  created  intense  excite- 
ment. It  is  apparently  a  natural  condition  for  New  York  to  be  unprepared,  for 
in  1653  the  Navy  consisted  of  one  solitary  vessel,  the  Fort  was  in  bad  repair  and 
there  were  no  soldiers  to  speak  of.  Steps  were  at  once  taken  for  defense,  however, 
and  among  other  measures  promulgated  by  the  authorities  we  copy  the  following 
from  the  official  Records  of  New  Amsterdam  (Vol.  I,  p.  69) : 

Notice. — The  committees  appointed  by  the  Director  General,  Council  and  Magistrates  of  this  city  will 

receive  proposals  for  a  certain  piece  of  work  to  off  the  city  with  palisades  twelve  to  thirteen 

feet  long,  by  the  rod.  Any  one  who  wishes  to  undertake  this  work  may  come  to  the  City  Hall  next  Tuesday 
afternoon,  hear  the  conditions  and  look  over  the  work. 

Done  etc.  Mch.  15,  1653. 

"Let  one  tell  it  to  another" 

According  to  the  specifications  the  contemplated  Palisade  was  to  be  2,340  feet 
in  length  extending  from  the  East  River  (Pearl  Street)  straight  across  the  island 
to  the  rise  in  the  land  at  the  North  River,  which  has  been  already  described  and 
which  formed  a  natural  breastwork.  It  was  to  be  constructed  of  rough  wooden 
posts,  each  post  to  be  twelve  feet  in  length  and  eighteen  inches  in  girth  sharp- 
ened to  a  point  at  the  top  and  placed  in  a  line  interrupted  at  intervals  by  larger 
posts  to  which  split  rails  were  to  be  nailed  two  feet  below  the  top.  The  diagram 
showing  the  plan  in  detail  can  be  found  in  the  Records  of  New  Amsterdam  (Vol. 
I,  p.  172),  where  it  remains  to-day,  and  is  a  tribute  to  the  thoroughness  and 
painstaking  methods  of  the  Schepens  and  Burghers  then  in  authority. 

Bids  were  invited  for  the  work  and  the  successful  contractor  was  one  Thomas 


[29] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Bacxter.  The  records  show  that  he  was  paid  in  "good  wampum,"  then  the  coin  of 
the  reahn,  and  that  the  items  were  as  follows: 

1404  planks  at  ly,  florins   2106  florins 

840  Posts    804  " 

Nails    100  " 

Transport    120  " 

For  setting  these  up  and  carpenters* 

wages    600  " 

Total    1300  " 

Bacxter  subsequently  adopted  the  calling  of  a  pirate  and  some  folks  are  mean 
enough  to  say  that  he  is  not  the  only  buccaneer  who  got  his  start  in  Wall  Street. 

As  a  result  of  this  expenditure  the  little  city  was  now  stoutly  defended  on  the 
north  by  a  structure  of  sufficient  strength  and  permanency  to  justify  its  inclusion 
among  the  other  "walled"  cities  of  the  period.  Some  two  years  later  other  local 
disturbances  with  adjoining  neighbors  and  the  ever  increasing  possibility  of  war 
with  the  English  induced  the  city  fathers  to  again  look  into  the  state  of  their  de- 
fenses. 

The  wall,  or  palisade,  was  found  to  have  suffered  considerably  from  neglect. 
Quite  a  number  of  the  stakes  had  been  destroyed  for  various  purposes — sixty-five 
in  all — and  the  structure  as  a  whole  had  fallen  greatly  from  its  high  estate. 
Numerous  and  expensive  additions  were  necessary,  and  it  is  surmised  that  it  was 
at  this  time  that  the  first  bastions  were  added.  These  bastions  added  materially  to 
the  strength  of  the  defenses,  and  carried  two  gun  artillery  mounts.  They  are 
regarded  historically  as  of  great  importance  in  the  history  of  the  Wall.  One  was 
at  the  head  of  Hanover  Street,  another  covered  the  present  site  of  No.  44  Wall 
Street  just  west  of  William  Street,  a  third  stood  on  part  of  the  ground  now  occu- 
pied by  the  Sub-Treasury,  corner  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets;  a  fourth  dominated 
No.  4  Wall  Street,  and  the  last  commanded  what  was  to  become  Trinity  Church- 
yard from  a  point  a  little  to  the  rear  of  the  existing  church.  Additional  strength 
was  imparted  to  these  defenses  by  nailing  boards  to  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet 
beyond  the  existing  heights  of  the  palisade. 

For  a  while  the  population  was  rigorously  confined  behind  these  breastworks. 
But  as  time  passed  and  no  signs  of  hostility  were  apparent,  the  warlike  spirit  sub- 
sided somewhat  and  before  long  alterations  were  made  in  the  palisades  by  the  in- 
troduction of  gates  that  afforded  quicker  and  easier  communication  with  the  farms 
and  pasture  lands  outside  the  wall.  These  gates  were  two  in  number ;  one,  opening 
at  about  Broadway  and  Trinity  Church,  was  known  as  the  Land  Gate,  and  the  one 
at  Pearl  Street  and  the  East  River  as  the  Water  Gate.  No  mention  of  either  the 
bastions  or  the  gates  is  found  in  the  original  minutes  of  the  Council  regarding  the 
palisades,  but  in  the  map  known  as  the  "Duke's  Plan"  of  the  town  as  it  was  in 
1661,  we  find  that  five  small  bastions  of  semi-eUiptical  form  had  been  constructed 
along  the  works  and  their  locations  quite  clearly  defined.  These  merely  projected 
far  enough  from  the  stockade  to  allow  a  couple  of  guns  upon  each  of  them  and 
were  evidently  added  a  year  or  two  after  the  original  works. 

When  the  English  took  possession  of  the  town  in  1664  quite  a  few  changes 


[30] 


lEarhj  iutrli  iFarms  S'lutllj  uf  MaU  l*trrrt 


IN  1859  MR  D  T  VALENTINE.  MADE  A  CAREFUL  STUDY  OF  THE 
FARM  GRANTS  SOUTH  OF  WALL  STREET  IN  EARLY  DUTCH  DAYS 
COMPARED  WITH  LAND  VALUES  IN  THIS  SECTION  TO  DAY  THE 
CHANGE  IS  STRIKING  THERE  IS  NOTHING  LEFT  TO  SUGGEST  THESE 
BUCOLIC  DAYS  SAVE  THE  OCCASIONAL  BLEATING  OF  A  FEW  LAMBS 
ON  THE  OLD  SHEEP  PASTURE  ON  BROAD  STREET.  WHERE  IS  NOW 
LOCATED  THE  STOCK  EXCHANGE 


Wall  Street  in  History 


were  made  in  the  fortifications.  The  bastions  were  demolished,  except  the  second 
and  fifth,  the  latter  of  which  appears  to  have  been  rebuilt  at  this  time  at  a  point 
nearer  Broadway  than  before.  J.  H.  Innes  in  his  New  Amsterdam  and  Its  People 
says  : 

In  1673-74,  at  the  time  of  the  recapture  of  the  town  by  the  Dutch,  Governor  Colve  effected  considerable 
further  changes  in  these  works.  A  general  clearance  of  buildings  and  obstructions  in  their  vicinity  took  place, 
in  the  course  of  which  several  interesting  landmarks  were  demolished.  That  portion  of  the  fortification  west 
of  Broadway  was  entirely  rebuilt  upon  new  Unes,  being  turned  to  the  south,  towards  the  present  Rector  Street, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  cover  its  exposed  flank,  in  the  direction  of  the  North  River;  the  site  of  the  present 
Trinity  Church  was  now  left  entirely  outside  of  the  works. 

The  second  bastion,  above  spoken  of,  near  the  present  William  Street,  was  now  considerably  enlarged, 
and  a  new  one  was  constructed  just  east  of  Broadway:  these  received  names,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
Dutch,  and  were  known  as  "HoUandia"  and  "Zeelandia."  The  gate  at  Broadway  was  closed,  and  a  new  one  was 
constructed  at  the  head  of  Broad  Street,  where  it  was  commanded  by  both  the  bastions;  the  road  thence 
turned  along  the  trench,  and  in  front  of  the  westerly  bastion  into  Broadway.  A  gate,  or  at  least  an  open- 
ing, at  Broadway  seems  to  have  been  restored  about  1674,  in  compliance  with  a  public  demand,  when  an  order 
of  council  was  made  for  the  construction  of  "a  little  gate"  at  Smits  Vly,  for  a  foot  passage.  But  the  gate 
at  Broad  Street  appears  to  have  remained  in  use  till  the  final  destruction  of  the  works  about  the  end  of  the 
seventeenth  century. 

An  observer,  standing  at  the  narrow  "Water  Poort,"  looking  northwards,  in  the  year  1656,  saw  before 
him  the  ditch  of  the  town  "fortification";  upon  its  south  bank  the  line  of  palisades  nine  feet  high,  and  upon 
its  north  bank  the  fence  of  the  Damen  farm,  formed  a  vista  extending  straight  up  the  hill,  towards  the  North 
River.  Over  the  ditch  a  rough  bridge  was  probably  thrown,  at  the  gate,  and  through  it  ran  a  small  rill  col- 
lected from  springs  at  the  foot  of  the  hillside  pasture  known  as  the  Claaver  Weytie  of  the  Damen  farm.  Over 
this  streamlet,  and  upon  the  east  side  of  the  road  or  present  Pearl  Street,  a  score  and  more  of  years  after  the 
time  of  our  survey,  the  butchers  of  the  town  erected  slaughter-houses,  much  as  the  poulterers  of  London,  cen- 
turies ago,  built  their  scalding-house  over  the  somewhat  similarly  situated  stream  called  the  Wallbrook.  These 
slaughter-houses,  and  the  pens  for  cattle  which  were  situated  opposite  them,  were  long  conspicuous  features 
in  this  part  of  the  town:  at  the  period  of  our  survey,  however,  neither  the  slaughter-houses  nor  the  cattle-pens 
existed.  In  place  of  the  latter,  there  stood  near  the  bank  of  the  trench  of  the  palisades,  and  in  inconveniently 
close  proximity  to  the  gate  of  the  town,  the  house  built  more  than  twenty  years  before,  by  Director-General 
Van  Twiller,  for  Tymen  Jansen,  the  master  ship-carpenter  at  New  Amsterdam  for  the  West  India  Company. 


We  now  have  an  accurate  description  of  the  birth  and  infancy  of  what  is  un- 
doubtedly one  of  the  most  famous  streets  in  the  world.  The  spectacle  of  the  corner 
occupied  by  the  Morgans  serving  as  a  sheep  pasture  only  a  few  years  ago  (using 


tion,  such  as  London,  Paris  or  Rome,  one  must  go  back  ahnost  to  the  IMiddle  Ages 
to  make  a  similar  contrast. 

In  all  descriptions  of  Wall  Street  in  these  early  days  it  is  well  to  consult  the 
sketches  elsewhere  shown  in  these  pages  in  connection  with  the  text.  It  visualizes 
the  village  as  it  was  in  those  days  and  also  accentuates  one  fact  of  which  we  are  apt 
to  lose  sight — the  narrowness  of  the  Island  then  as  compared  with  the  present. 
The  extreme  eastern  boundary  was  Pearl  Street,  which  appears  in  the  old  pictures 
above  spoken  of  as  a  quiet  little  sandy  road  skirting  the  shore.  On  the  west  a  high 
promontory  where  Trinity  now  stands  descended  abruptly  to  the  river  at  about 
where  Church  Street  now  is.  St.  Paul's,  if  you  will  notice,  is  built  with  its  back 
to  Broadway  and  its  face  toward  the  river.  In  our  day  and  to  our  eyes  it  seems  to 
be  facing  the  wrong  way.  But  when  first  built,  there  was  no  sign  of  Broadway 
where  it  is  now.   The  entrance  was  from  the  little  street  on  the  west  called  Church 


[33] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Lane,  and  the  waters  of  the  river  were  but  a  few  feet  farther  west,  leaving  a  foot- 
path that  ran  to  Greenwich  Village. 

On  the  south  the  city  ended  at  what  is  now  the  rear  of  the  Custom  House.  All 
south  of  that,  including  practically  all  of  the  Battery,  has  been  added  since  the 
time  of  which  we  write. 

The  removal  of  the  Wall  or  Palisade  by  an  order  of  the  Common  Council  in 
1699,  and  the  demolition  of  its  bastions,  came  in  response  to  a  petition  of  the  citi- 
zens, who  declared  it  to  be  an  obstructing  nuisance,  and  New  York  ceased  to  be  a 
walled  city.  The  stones  of  the  bastions  were  utilized  in  constructing  the  new  City 
Hall  on  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Broad  Streets,  which  was  begun  in  the  same  year. 
The  Stadt  Huys,  on  the  corner  of  Pearl  Street  and  Coenties  Slip,  erected  by  the 
Dutch  some  years  before,  was  the  first  municipal  building  on  the  island,  but  the 
new  City  Hall  was  the  first  to  be  erected  by  the  English  and  was  specifically 
designed  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  used. 

The  location  of  this  building  in  Wall  Street  was  a  recognition  of  the  growing 
importance  of  the  thoroughfare  both  commercially  and  socially,  and  its  effect 
upon  the  fortunes  of  the  street  immediate  and  far-reaching. 

Having  completed  a  recital  of  the  beginnings  of  Wall  Street  and  having  seen 
it  fairly  started  on  its  way  to  greatness,  we  will  now  take  up  the  history  of  its  growth 
in  the  eighteenth  century  and  the  exciting  days  preceding  and  during  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

In  bringing  this  chapter  to  an  end  it  is  a  great  pleasure  to  acknowledge  many 
obligations  for  items  of  fact  collected  with  vast  labor  and  much  painstaking  care 
by  Mr.  Frederick  Trevor  Hill  on  this  subject,  and  by  JNIr.  J.  H.  Innes,  whose 
books.  The  Story  of  a  Street  and  The  People  of  Niew  Amsterdam,  are  each  of 
them  of  inestimable  value  to  the  student  of  early  New  York. 

WALL  STREET  IN  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY 

We  have  already  referred  to  the  fact  that  as  originally  planned  Wall  Street 
was  to  be  a  hundred  feet  in  width.  In  fact,  such  was  the  case  for  many  years,  as 
its  broad  surface  was  used  for  a  Parade  Ground,  and  in  front  of  the  City  Hall  stood 
the  Pillory  and  Whipping  Post — both  details  naturally  suggesting  width.  And 
the  explanation  of  the  sudden  shrinkage  in  width  can  be  found  by  consulting  the 
Records  in  the  Register's  Office,  L.  13,  pp.  124,  150,  Dec.  14,  1685,  and  in  the 
item  in  Valentine's  Manual  for  1851,  page  406. 

These  two  items  recite  the  first  recorded  instances  of  political  graft  in  the 
city.  His  Excellency,  Thomas  Dongan,  was  Royal  Governor  at  the  time,  and  his 
position  quickly  revealed  to  him  the  possibilities  of  a  real-estate  deal  along  the  line 
of  the  Wall.  By  the  time-honored  connivance  of  a  dummy  he  acquired,  in  the 
name  of  Captain  John  Knight,  of  his  official  staff,  from  the  Damon  Estate,  which 
adjoined  the  Wall  on  the  north,  a  strip  of  land  one  thousand  feet  long  and  eighty 
feet  deep  fronting  the  Wall,  with  all  the  right,  title  and  interest  the  sellers  had  in 


[34] 


COURTESY   N    Y    HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 


atllp  (Fmo  iraujiuga  of  Npw  fork  bg  ICaurrnB  iBlork 


THE  UPPER  VIEW,  WHILE  RATHER  SKETCHILY  DRAWN,  CONTAINS 
ENOUGH  FEATURES— THE  WIND  MILLS,  STADT  HUYS.  ETC— TO 
PROVE  IT  AUTHENTIC  AND  FIX  THE  DATE  A  BOUT  1643  AN  INSCRIP- 
TION ON  THE  MARGIN  READS;  IN  THE  SHIP  LYDIA'  BY 
LAURENS  BLOCK  SON  OF  HERMAN  IN  THE  YEAR  1650  '  THE 
LOWER  ONE  DIFFERS  IN  SOME  IMPORTANT  PARTICULARS.  SHOWING 
THAT  IT  WAS  DRAWN  ABOUT  1650 

WHILE  NOT  POSITIVELY  KNOWN.  THE  GENERAL  OPINION  IS  THAT 
BOTH  SKETCHES  ARE  BY  THE  SAME  ARTIST.  LAURENS  BLOCK 


Wall  Street  in  History 


the  Parade  Ground  behind  the  Wall,  which  they  and  everyone  else  supposed  would 
become  a  public  thoroughfare. 

With  this  deed  safely  in  his  possession,  Dongan  ordered  a  survey  of  the  Wall 
for  the  purpose  of  officially  opening  the  street.  And  so  promptly  did  the  surveyor 
perform  his  work,  that  in  less  than  a  day  he  returned  a  report  laying  out  a  street 
only  thirty-six  feet  wide,  instead  of  one  hundred  as  originally  planned,  and  of 
course  Dongan's  80-foot  lots  expanded  in  proportion. 

The  legal  facts  in  this  case  are  set  forth  in  the  Records  of  the  Register's 
Office,  L.  18,  p.  64,  and  show  that  Knight  took  title  Dec.  14,  1685.  The  warrant 
for  Beckwith's  survey  is  dated  Dec.  15,  1685.  Return  of  the  survey  made  Dec. 
16,  1685.  Knight's  deed  to  the  Governor  was  apparently  dated  before  he  acquired 
title,  as  it  bears  a  date  Mch.  9,  1685.  His  Excellency,  however,  did  not  record 
Knight's  deed  till  1688. 

Dongan  nevertheless  made  a  good  Governor  and  was  largely  instrumental  in 
obtaining  for  the  City  of  New  York  the  first  Charter  granting  popular  govern- 
ment, religious  toleration,  trial  by  jury  and  immunity  from  martial  law.  He  was 
a  General  in  the  Armies  of  England  and  France,  and  afterwards  became  Earl 
of  Limerick.  He  was  a  staunch  Catholic,  and  in  an  age  when  Catholicism  was 
anathema  in  the  other  Provinces  in  America,  he  must  have  been  a  man  of  no  small 
ability  to  occupy  the  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  he  did.  A  bronze  tablet 
to  his  memory  was  erected  in  old  St.  Peter's  Church,  corner  Barclay  and  Church 
Streets,  in  1911.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  so  splendid  a  character  should  be  sul- 
lied by  so  petty  an  offence  as  this  Wall  Street  matter,  but  when  we  come  to  think 
of  what  an  added  attraction  that  extra  width  would  have  meant  to  this  important 
street,  we  must  let  the  record  stand  for  its  possible  effect  on  future  would-be  evil- 
doers on  the  Street. 

Some  few  years  after  the  events  above  recorded,  Dongan  disposed  of  his  Wall 
Street  holdings,  and  the  records  seem  to  prove  that  on  one  of  these  lots,  part  of 
which  is  now  known  as  56  Wall  Street,  was  erected  the  first  house  on  the  north  side 
of  the  street.  This  site  is  also  entitled  to  additional  fame  as  one  of  the  possible 
homes  of  Captain  William  Kidd,  the  celebrated  freebooter  and  pirate.  Kidd  mar- 
ried the  widow  of  the  owner  of  this  house  on  May  16, 1691,  and,  although  he  was  then 
living  in  Pearl  Street,  it  is  not  at  all  unlikely  that  he  would,  for  a  time  at  least, 
occupy  his  bride's  more  pretentious  dwelling.  Mr.  William  S.  Pelletreau,  of  our 
city,  is  the  clever  writer  who  unearthed  Kidd's  connection  with  56  Wall  Street,  and 
the  fact  that  Bacxter,  who  built  the  Wall,  afterwards  became  a  pirate,  and  Kidd, 
who  owned  the  first  house,  did  the  same,  is  merely  a  singular  coincidence,  and 
although  the  late  J.  P.  Morgan  gleefully  named  his  yacht  "Corsair"  in  compliment 
to  his  alleged  piratical  ancestor,  Henry  Morgan,  there  are  no  facts  to  assume  that 
the  output  of  pirates  to-day  is  any  greater  than  it  was  in  the  1700's  though  the 
street  itself  is  greatly  enlarged. 

With  this  first  building  completed,  Wall  Street  slowly  but  surely  continued 
to  develop.  At  its  lower  end  a  slip  appears  and  a  ferry  to  Brooklyn  becomes  an 
established  fact.   Opposite  the  ferry  a  rather  cheap-looking  structure  answers  the 


[87] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


purpose  of  a  market,  where  corn,  meal  and  other  farm-produce  are  sold.  This  in 
time  gives  way  to  the  more  profitable  business  of  slave-selling.  Here  were  exposed 
for  sale  or  hire  negroes  brought  from  the  Jamaicas  and  Africa.  Behind  this  not 
attractive  building  were  rows  of  inconsequential  little  houses  gradually  improving 
in  size  and  structure  as  we  near  the  City  Hall.  At  about  William  Street  the 
Jiayards  had  erected  in  1729  a  huge  building  in  which  to  refine  sugar.  The  pro- 
cess was  termed  "tiie  mystery  of  sugar  refining"  in  their  announcements.  Close 
by  the  refinery  was  a  tavern  kept  by  Gabriel  Thompson,  and  beyond  that  the 
most  noted  building  on  the  island — the  new  City  Hall.  Above  this  was  the 
Presbyterian  Chuich,  rather  an  miposing  building  for  its  day,  and  just  beyond, 
like  a  sentinel  guarding  the  street,  the  little  old-fashioned  wooden  building  with 
a  tremendously  large  steeple  which  formed  the  original  structure  built  for  Trinity 
Church  in  1696.  Altogether,  one  would  not  say  that  Wall  Street  at  that  time 
gave  any  signs  of  its  coming  importance.  A  very  good  view  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  is  shown  elsewhere  in  these  pages.  It  is  based  on  a  sketch  made  from  the 
street  itself  by  the  celebrated  artist  JNlaverick,  and  gives  a  good  idea  of  how  it 
looked.  This  view,  however,  is  much  later  than  the  time  spoken  of  above,  but  no 
radical  changes  were  made  in  the  interim.  The  whole  block,  in  fact,  remained 
about  the  same,  except  that  Keeler's  brick  house,  on  the  corner  of  Broadway,  and 
Smunons'  Tavern,  on  the  corner  of  Nassau  Street,  were  added.  But  the  church 
remains  the  dominating  feature  at  both  periods. 

We  have  already  alluded  to  the  importance  in  the  development  of  Wall  Street 
of  the  City  Hall  being  within  its  precincts.  For  the  time  being  this  building  was 
the  centre  of  the  civic,  military  and  official  life  of  the  city.  While  it  was  a  rather 
modest  building  originally,  it  afterwards  attained  distinction  achitecturally  by  the 
work  of  L'Enfant  who  remodelled  it  for  the  use  of  the  Federal  Govermnent,  in 
which  met  the  first  Congress,  and  in  which  the  first  President  was  inaugurated. 
L'Enfant  afterward  designed  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  and  it  is  no  small  satis- 
faction to  the  New  Yorker  to  know  that  he  won  his  spurs  for  that  immortal  un- 
dertaking by  the  work  he  did  on  our  own  City  Hall  in  New  York. 

The  City  Hall  as  then  constituted  answered  a  multitude  of  civic  requirements. 
It  contained  the  first  hbrary.  The  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts  sent  over  in  1742  books  bequeathed  to  them  by  the  Rev.  John  Mil- 
lington,  who  requested  that  they  be  sent  to  the  Plantations  in  America.  The  Com- 
mon Council  accepted  the  gift,  made  room  for  the  books  in  the  City  Hall,  and  they 
became  known  as  the  Corporation  Library.  As  it  was  httle  used,  the  Corporation 
turned  the  books  over  to  a  number  of  prominent  citizens,  who  organized  the  So- 
ciety Library  to  carry  out  the  donors'  original  intention,  and  this  venerable  Society 
has  existed  to  the  present  day.  The  City  Hall  also  provided  quarters  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  courts,  jury  room,  Common  Council  chamber,  a  jail,  a 
debtors'  prison  and  a  fire  department.  It  certainly  was  a  useful  institution,  for  in 
addition  to  the  above  its  rooms  were  occasionally  used  by  various  semi-social  and 
semi-official  organizations :  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce and  other  organizations  among  them. 


[38] 


Npui  ^ark  aa  it  Maa  ml^nt  tl|r  lEuglial)  Sunk  Puaaraatmt  tit  1604 
"©Ifr  Sukr'a  ^piatt" 


THIS  REMARKABLE  DRAWING  WAS  OWNED  BY  GEORGE  III.  WHO 
BEQUEATHED  IT  TO  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM  ALONG  WITH  OTHER  ITEMS 
PERTAINING  TO  HIS  LOST  '  BELOVED  '  COLONIES  IN  AMERICA  IT 
SHOWS  HOW  THE  TOWN  LOOKED  WHEN  IT  WAS  FIRST  TAKEN  FROM 
THE  DUTCH.  THE  WALL  OR  STOCKADE  WHERE  WALL  STREET  NOW 
STANDS  IS  ONE  OF  ITS  MOST  STRIKING  FEATURES 

THIS  DRAWING  WAS  SENT  TO  THE  DUKE  OF  YORK  BY  GOVERNOR 
NICOLLS  TO  SHOW  THE  CITY  WHICH  HE  HAD  JUST  CAPTURED  FOR 
HIS  PATRON  THE  CITY  HAS  CHANGED  BUT  LITTLE  FROM  THE  MAIN 
FEATURES  OF  THIS  MAP:  IT  IS  THE  FIRST  ENGLISH  DRAWING  OF  NEW 
YORK  AND  VERY  INTERESTING 


Wall  Street  in  History 


As  a  natural  result  all  that  was  interesting  in  a  political  way,  whatever  there 
was  of  pomp  and  cu'cumstance  in  the  coming  and  going  of  the  Governors  and  other 
high  officials,  centred  around  this  building.  And  in  addition,  the  close  proximity 
of  the  two  most  fashionable  churches  in  town — Trinity  and  the  First  Presbyterian 
— combined  to  impart  an  air  of  distinction  to  Wall  Street  that  speedily  attracted 
the  attention  of  those  socially  prominent. 

The  existence  of  the  cage,  the  pillory,  the  whipping  post  and  the  stocks  in 
front  of  the  Capitol  Building  gave  rise  to  rather  disagreeable  incidents  at  times. 
Victims  of  the  whipping  post  were  frequent,  and  the  unfortunates  who  were  con- 
fined to  the  cage  or  stocks  were  not  pleasant  to  look  upon.  Offending  slaves  were 
publicly  paraded  up  and  down  the  street  and  thrashed  at  each  corner.  Although 
the  street  has  been  spared  the  mortification  of  a  pubhc  execution  among  its  records 
it  was  more  the  result  of  good  luck  than  good  judgment.  Nicholas  Bayard  was 
accused  of  high  treason,  the  penalty  of  which  was  death  by  hanging.  Amid  great 
excitement  the  Colonel  was  judged  guilty,  but  the  Court  granted  a  release,  as  the 
whole  proceeding  was  a  political  move  which  the  people  refused  to  sanction.  Wall 
Street  was  thus  saved  the  stigma  of  a  hanging.  If  the  presence  of  the  jail,  the 
pillory  and  the  stocks  somewhat  lowered  the  tone  of  the  street,  yet  the  presence 
of  the  Courts  of  Justice  more  than  counterbalanced  the  unsavoriness  of  the  others. 

In  the  trial  of  John  Peter  Zenger  by  which  the  Freedom  of  the  Press  was 
accomplished.  Wall  Street  has  cause  to  pride  itself  upon  being  the  scene  of  so 
notable  an  achievement.  In  the  present  days,  not  only  of  freedom  but  of  a  good 
deal  of  license  in  the  press,  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  reahze  that  there  was  a  time 
when  to  criticise  public  officials  was  a  felonious  crime.  Nevertheless,  such  was  the 
case  in  1734,  when  copies  of  the  New  York  Weekly  Journal  were  publicly  burned 
near  the  pillory  at  the  hands  of  the  Common  Hangman  or  Whipper.  Zenger  had 
been  proven  guilty  of  printing  matter  derogatory  to  the  good  name  and  fame  of 
His  Excellency  Governor  William  Cosby.  The  Governor  expected  that  the  whole 
town  would  turn  out  to  witness  the  degradation  of  Zenger  and  the  vindication  of 
the  law.  He  even  ordered  the  Mayor  and  City  Magistrates  to  attend.  But  the 
local  authorities  defied  the  Governor  and  refused  to  be  present.  The  public,  who 
were  greatly  interested  in  the  principle  involved,  and  who  were  determined  that 
the  press  should  not  be  muzzled,  likewise  refrained  from  attending.  The  result 
being  that  Recorder  Harrison,  aided  solely  by  a  slave  acting  as  deputy  sheriff — the 
sheriff  himself  having  refused  to  act — and  a  couple  of  soldiers  from  the  garrison 
constituted  the  sole  audience  upon  this  memorable  occasion.  A  more  stinging  re- 
buke could  hardly  have  been  thought  of  and  the  result  was  to  further  enrage  the 
Governor. 

Already  throughout  all  the  Colonies  restiveness  was  increasing  under  the 
repeated  interferences  by  the  authorities  with  the  right  of  public  criticism.  John 
Peter  Zenger  became  the  humble  instrument  by  which  this  vital  principle  finally 
triumphed,  and  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets,  as  the  scene  of  his  vindica- 
tion, should  be  revered  as  one  of  the  important  landmarks  in  our  struggle  for 
liberty. 

[41] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


After  the  fiasco  of  burning  his  papers,  Cosby  ordered  the  arrest  of  Zenger, 
who  remained  in  jail  for  many  months.  Meanwhile  public  opinion  was  aroused  as 
never  before.  It  was  clearly  seen  that  not  only  was  Zenger  on  trial,  but  that  the 
whole  cause  of  human  rights  and  human  liberty  was  at  stake.  The  opponents  of 
the  Governor  at  once  championed  the  cause  of  the  imprisoned  printer.  James 
Alexander  and  William  Smith,  two  able  lawyers,  who  were  really  the  vital  force 
behind  Zenger,  rapidly  created  a  poi)ular  party  to  support  the  movement.  An- 
drew Hamilton,  the  most  eminent  member  of  the  bar  at  the  time,  volunteered  to 
come  from  Philadelphia  to  assist  in  the  defense,  and  as  the  day  of  trial  drew  nigh 
excitement  reached  a  dangerous  height. 

The  Grand  Jury  refused  to  indict  Zenger,  and  the  most  ruthless  and  arbi- 
trary action  was  invoked  to  prevent  his  release  even  on  unheard-of  heavy  bail. 
News  of  the  celebrated  case  penetrated  the  most  remote  sections  of  the  other  prov- 
inces. Benjamin  Franklin  and  others  keenly  watched  developments,  and  to  his 
consternation  Cosby  soon  realized  that,  instead  of  trying  one  of  his  own  subjects 
for  an  alleged  misdemeanor,  he  had  forced  an  issue  with  the  entire  country  on  one 
of  the  most  vital  questions  he  could  have  selected.  The  result  of  the  contest  would 
be  fraught  with  the  gravest  consequences;  a  long  step  forward  in  the  direction  of 
popular  sovereignty  would  result,  or  the  Crown  would  fasten  more  securely  its 
hold  upon  the  people's  rights  and  privileges. 

The  venerable  Hamilton  achieved  a  mighty  success.  When  the  jury  returned 
the  verdict,  "Not  guilty,"  the  courtroom  broke  out  into  the  wildest  manifestations 
of  joy.  Eager  hands  seized  the  victorious  lawyer  and  bore  him  in  triumph  to  the 
cheering  multitude  outside.  Here  the  same  stirring  scenes  were  enacted.  That 
night  the  whole  city  was  ablaze  with  enthusiasm.  Hamilton  was  given  a  grand 
banquet,  and  all  who  had  contributed  to  the  final  result  were  cheered  to  the  echo. 
A  few  weeks  later  Hamilton  was  further  honored  by  receiving  the  Freedom  of  the 
City  from  the  Common  Council,  and  altogether  the  significance  of  this  event  was 
surely  not  underestimated  by  the  people  throughout  the  whole  country.  It  is  pleas- 
ant to  note  from  the  records,  that  in  reaching  such  a  righteous  verdict  some  repre- 
sentatives of  well-known  names  in  New  York  were  members  of  the  jury:  Rutgers, 
Holmes,  Man,  Bell,  Keteltas,  Hildreth  and  Goelet. 

With  the  Freedom  of  the  Press  finally  acknowledged  as  one  of  the  inalienable 
rights  in  the  new  colony.  Wall  Street  can  congratulate  itself  upon  this  historic 
accomplishment  within  its  own  borders.  A  long  step  had  been  taken  toward  the 
ultimate  goal — ^American  Independence. 

THE  MERCHANTS'  COFFEE  HOUSE  AND  THE  TONTINE 

Meanwhile  the  city  itself,  as  well  as  Wall  Street,  experienced  the  beginnings 
of  that  marvellous  commercial  development  which  has  continued  without  interrup- 
tion from  that  day  to  this.  The  little  bridge  on  Broad  Street  over  the  canal  at  the 
foot  of  Exchange  Place,  where  the  early  merchants  were  wont  to  congregate  at 
noon  for  informal  chats,  had  long  ago  outlived  its  usefulness.   In  1768  John  Cru- 


[42] 


Wall  Street  in  History 


ger  organized  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce  at  a  meeting  held  in  Fraunces' 
Tavern.  It  afterwards  held  its  stated  meetings  in  the  City  Hall.  But  the  popular 
meeting-place  for  merchants  of  all  degrees,  whether  members  of  the  Chamber  or 
not,  was  the  Merchants'  Coffee  House  at  this  time  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Wall 
and  Water  Streets.  It  is  doubtful  if  any  building  in  New  York  ever  sheltered 
more  important  gatherings  than  met  at  this  famous  hostelry.  For  years  it  was  the 
centre  of  all  great  pre-Revolutionary  meetings  in  New  York  and  fills  a  glorious 
page  in  the  annals  of  our  history. 

Very  little  is  known  of  its  actual  appearance.  It  seems  to  have  been  of  the 
usual  three-story  brick  type,  and  was  built  quite  early — prior  to  1738.  It  ori- 
ginally had  the  water  at  its  back  door  and  was  much  frequented  by  a  rather  pic- 
turesque clientele  of  sailor  men  and  other  adventurous  sons  of  the  sea,  whose 
coinings  and  goings  it  were  best  not  to  question  too  closely.  With  the  disappear- 
ance of  these  strangely  garbed  characters,  the  Inn  attracted  a  much  more  desirable 
class  of  customers.  We  are  assured  of  this  fact  by  a  resolution  in  the  minutes  of 
the  Common  Council  directing  the  removal  of  the  slave  market  hard  by,  as  it  "Oc- 
casions a  Dirty  Street,  Offensive  to  the  inhabitants  on  each  side  who  pass  and 
repass  to  and  from  the  Coffee  House,  a  place  of  great  resort."  It  took  influence 
in  those  days,  just  as  it  does  now,  to  remove  a  nuisance  of  this  kind,  and  we  may 
feel  satisfied  that  the  new  customers  of  the  Coffee  House  were  merchants  of  high 
standing  to  whom  the  authorities  must  give  heed. 

The  history  of  the  Coffee  House  itself  bears  out  this  contention.  It  speedily 
became  the  most  influential  resort  in  the  city,  and  was  constantly  frequented  by 
the  best  citizens  of  New  York  and  particularly  by  those  from  whom  the  Revolu- 
tionary party  was  subsequently  recruited. 

Its  rooms  were  admirably  adapted  for  meeting  places.  A  notable  action  taken 
here  was  a  demonstration  of  disapproval  over  the  military  occupation  of  Boston 
by  the  British  in  1769,  and  here  also  the  most  interesting  meetings  of  the  Friends 
of  Liberty  and  Trade  were  held.  The  Committee  of  Correspondence  was  also 
formed  here.  The  plan  to  confiscate  the  stamps  used  on  the  Stamp  Act  also  had 
its  origin  here,  and  the  stern  refusal  to  receive  the  tea  consigned  under  Lockyer 
had  its  inception  here  also.  During  all  the  troublous  times  in  these  pre-Revolu- 
tionary days  the  Coffee  House  was  ever  the  scene  of  action.  And  when  the  final 
day  did  come  and  war  actually  began,  the  Coffee  House  virtually  became  the  seat 
of  government.  Martial  law  had  been  proclaimed  and  the  royal  government  de- 
posed. 

So  many  memories  cluster  round  this  old  inn  that  a  recital  of  them  would  be 
too  long  for  the  limited  space  at  our  command.  It  indubitably  links  up  Wall 
Street  with  all  that  was  best  and  most  heroic  in  these  trying  days.  Its  Committee 
of  Fifty  did  herculean  service  for  the  patriots,  and  despite  the  fact  that  New  York 
was  soon  captured  by  the  British,  to  remain  in  their  hands  throughout  the  entire 
war,  the  part  played  by  Wall  Street  at  its  meetings  in  the  old  Mercliants'  Coffee 
House  is  not  exceeded  by  any  similar  organization  in  our  country's  history. 

A  few  years  before  the  actual  declaration  of  hostilities  (1772),  the  Mer- 


[45] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


chants'  Coffee  House  was  removed  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Wall  and  Water 
Streets,  diagonally  across  the  street  from  its  original  location,  where  it  continued 
to  be  the  headquarters  of  the  political  and  commercial  movements  of  the  time.  The 
members  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  and  other  patriotic  citizens  made  their  headquar- 
ters at  Burns'  Coffee  House  on  Broadway,  Twenty  years  later  the  site  in  part 
of  the  original  Merchants'  Coffee  House  again  became  the  home  of  a  building  des- 
tined also  to  play  an  important  part  in  the  affairs  of  our  city — the  Tontine  Coffee 
House.  While  devoid  of  the  spectacular  and  thrilling  experiences  of  its  fore- 
runner, the  Tontine  nevertheless  played  an  interesting  part  in  the  more  prosaic  days 
in  which  it  was  destined  to  flourish.  And  for  many  years  it  worthily  upheld  the 
traditions  of  its  prototype  in  service  and  usefulness. 

On  another  page  it  is  our  good  fortune  to  be  able  to  present  a  contemporane- 
ous painting  of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House.  This  is  from  the  now  celebrated  paint- 
ing by  Francis  Guy  in  1796.  The  original  is  owned  by  the  New  York  Historical 
Society,  which  acquired  it  from  Miss  Margaret  A.  Ingram,  who  states,  in  a  letter 
addressed  to  the  Society,  that  the  picture  was  originally  the  property  of  her  grand- 
father, John  Salmon,  a  New  York  builder,  and  was  finished  in  1797.  The  Coffee 
House  is  the  building  shown  on  the  extreme  left.  This  is  the  only  known  picture 
of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  and  is  said  to  have  won  the  admiration  of  President 
Adams  and  others.  It  remained  unsold,  however,  and  was  finally  disposed  of  at 
a  raffle  bringing  a  very  paltry  sum.  Its  price  to-day,  however,  is  a  very  different 
matter  and  reflects  the  esteem  in  which  the  splendid  part  played  by  the  old  Ton- 
tine in  the  early  days  of  New  York's  commerce  is  now  held  by  the  people  of 
our  city. 

After  the  trial  of  Peter  Zenger  the  struggle  for  a  further  development  of 
popular  rights  continued.  Constant  strife  between  the  Royal  governors  and  the 
People's  party  was  the  order  of  the  day,  with  victory  almost  always  with  the  latter, 
culminating  thirty  years  later  in  an  almost  open  break  over  the  now  famous 
Stamp  Act. 

Recent  writers,  notably  the  Secretary  of  the  Lower  Wall  Street  Business 
Men's  Association,  have  complained  that  the  brilliant  part  played  by  New  York 
in  the  events  leading  up  to  the  Revolution  have  not  been  sufficiently  recognized — 
that  Boston  and  Philadelphia  by  contrast  receive  a  much  larger  measure  of  praise. 
The  Association  points  out,  and  truly,  that  the  famous  Boston  massacre  was  ante- 
dated by  the  Battle  of  Golden  Hill  (corner  John  and  William  Streets),  and  that 
the  first  blood  shed  by  the  Patriots  was  in  New  York  and  not  in  Boston.  A  simi- 
lar occurrence  matched  the  famous  Tea  Party,  only  in  this  instance  no  disguise  was 
attempted  by  the  New  Yorkers.  When  the  London  sailed  into  the  harbor  of  New 
York  with  a  cargo  of  tea,  it  was  promptly  boarded  by  a  Vigilance  Committee,  who 
bundled  her  merchandise  into  the  sea  forthwith.  Similarly,  when  the  Nancy  ap- 
peared with  a  cargo  expressly  designed  to  test  the  sincerity  and  good  faith  of  New 
York  concerning  the  non-importation  agreement,  the  consignees  politely  declined 
to  receive  the  shipment,  and  the  captain  of  the  Nancy  was  advised  to  take  his  de- 
parture forthwith.   Being  over  seven  years  old  and  a  prudent  man  withal.  Captain 


[46] 


ORIGINAL   OWNED    BY    I,    N.    PHELPS  STOKES 


Btpui  of  Iraab  ^trtvt  alpiuitig  Jffriipral  If  all  at  tlfp  rartipr  of  Naaaaii  S>trrrt:  \7SS 


THIS  INTERESTING  LITHOGRAPH  SHOWS  THE  WEST  SIDE  OF  BROAD 
STREET  FROM  BELOW  EXCHANGE  PLACE  TO  WALL  STREET,  INCLUD- 
ING THE  SITES  NOW  OCCUPIED  BY  THE  STOCK  EXCHANGE  AND 
OTHER  LARGE  BUILDINGS  FEDERAL  HALL  WAS  FOR  A  BRIEF 
PERIOD  THE  SEAT  OF  CONGRESS  AND  THE  SENATE  WHEN  THIS 
CITY  WAS  THE  NATION  S  CAPITAL 


Wall  Street  in  History 


Lockyer  pocketed  his  chagrin  and  set  sail  at  once.  In  order  that  Lockyer  should 
be  under  no  misapprehension  of  the  temper  of  the  people,  a  unique  plan  was  adopted 
to  signalize  his  departure.  Broadsides  suddenly  appeared  throughout  the  entire 
city  notifying  the  people  to  assemble  at  Murray's  Wharf  at  the  foot  of  Wall  Street 
and  witness  the  departure  of  the  Nancy.  Promptly  at  the  appointed  hour  bells 
began  ringing  in  every  quarter  of  the  city  till  pandemonium  reigned.  At  this  pri- 
vate signal  groups  of  citizens  suddenly  appeared,  arrayed  in  all  sorts  of  mock- 
heroic  costumes,  some  accompanied  by  fifes,  drums  and  bands.  Flags  and  stream- 
ers covered  the  buildings  and  shipping  on  the  water  front,  and  nothing  was  left 
undone  to  create  a  magnificent  burlesque  in  honor  of  the  departing  hero  (?) .  The 
space  in  front  of  the  Merchants'  Coffee  House,  where  the  captain  lodged,  was 
packed  with  people  who  greeted  the  discomfited  representative  of  Royalty  with 
ironical  cheers,  hoots  and  the  rattling  of  cow  bells.  The  significance  of  the  demon- 
stration could  not  be  misunderstood,  and  although  no  actual  disorder  occurred,  the 
meaning  was  clear,  and  when  Captain  Lockyer  returned,  the  recital  of  his  sarcastic 
reception  and  derisive  treatment  created  a  profound  sensation  in  England,  whose 
statesmen,  however,  continued  on  their  career  of  coercion  despite  warnings  of  such 
serious  import.  • 

In  support  of  New  York's  further  claims  to  honor  for  its  part  in  the  pre-Revo- 
lutionary  days,  we  might  also  cite  the  famous  Stamp  Act  Congress  which  con- 
vened October  7,  1765,  in  the  City  Hall  at  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets.  Competent 
historians  aver  that  here  and  at  that  meeting  was  the  real  beginning  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution.  It  was  the  first  time  that  the  Colonies  had  met  together  to  act  in 
concert  and  clearly  foreshadowed  the  coming  United  States.  Nine  of  the  Colonies 
were  represented.  The  names  of  the  delegates  from  New  York,  as  given  in  the 
New  York  Mercury  of  October  14,  1765,  were  as  follows:  John  Cruger,  Robert  R. 
Livingston,  Philip  Livingston,  William  Bayard  and  Leonard  Lispenard.  In  all 
there  were  twenty-eight  delegates.  The  same  paper  describes  the  business  of  the 
meeting  as  the  most  important  that  ever  came  under  consideration  in  America. 

The  significance  of  this  meeting  was  not  at  first  realized,  but  its  effect  was 
instantaneous.  The  need  for  co-operation  and  consultation  among  the  scattered 
Colonies  was  never  before  so  fully  demonstrated.  The  proceedings  lasted  three 
weeks,  during  which  time  the  seeds  of  unity  took  root  and  the  leaven  of  concerted 
action  was  at  work.  The  subsequent  formation  of  the  Continental  Congress  was 
one  of  its  direct  results,  and  the  State  papers  which  were  produced  at  these  meet- 
ings are  still  referred  to  as  models  of  what  such  documents  should  be. 

In  view  of  later  events  the  importance  of  these  initial  meetings  are  now 
seen  to  have  been  of  the  utmost  consequence,  and  it  is  everywhere  admitted  that  no 
action  in  any  of  the  other  Colonies  equalled  in  importance  the  work  of  New  York. 
If  she  has  failed  to  receive  her  due  meed  of  praise  from  historians,  it  does  not  cloud 
her  title  to  the  glorious  part  which  was  hers  in  those  trying  days,  and  a  little  more 
insistence  on  her  part  would  no  doubt  compel  a  fuller  recognition  than  is  now  ac- 
corded. In  the  effort  to  achieve  such  a  result  the  Lower  Wall  Street  Business 
Men's  Association  is  to  be  commended,  but  their  offer  of  one  thousand  dollars  for 


[49] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


a  new  History  of  the  State  is  not  such  a  dazzling  one  as  to  bring  forth  any  particu- 
larly worthy  effort  in  this  direction. 

The  growing  importance  of  New  York,  as  indicated  by  the  events  which  I  have 
described,  naturally  brouglit  Wall  Street  into  great  prominence,  and  ere  long  its 
name  became  familiar  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  If  there 
is  any  virtue  in  publicity,  then  Wall  Street  is  certainly  a  fortunate  thoroughfare. 
It  is  entirely  within  reason  to  say  that  the  name  of  no  street  in  the  world  has  been 
printed  so  often  and  in  so  many  tongues  as  has  the  little  lane  running  from  Trin- 
ity Church  to  the  East  River,  and  at  the  close  of  170.5  it  had  not  only  attained 
nation-wide  publicity  but  had  also  greatly  improved  its  personal  appearance,  as 
its  rapidly  growing  importance  demanded.  The  removal  of  the  Slave  Market,  the 
addition  of  Water  Street,  and  the  filling  in  of  the  shps,  thus  making  a  broad 
plaza  at  its  lower  end,  did  much  to  improve  the  street  and  increase  its  importance. 
Farther  up  the  street,  other  improvements  were  noted.  The  unsightly  buildings 
of  the  Bayard  sugar  refinery  gave  way  to  the  imposing  Verplanck  mansion.  A 
handsome  statue  erected  by  the  citizens  in  honor  of  William  Pitt  for  his  success  in 
repealing  the  Stamp  Act  stood  on  the  corner  of  William  Street,  and  gave  a  classic 
appearance  to  this  section.  This  statue,  in  a  ruined  condition,  is  in  the  possession 
of  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  A  duplicate  of  the  statue  was  presented  to  the 
city  of  Charleston  at  the  same  time  as  it  was  erected  here,  and  is  still  preserved. 
It  would  be  a  good  idea  if  this  fine  monument  to  a  splendid  man  was  restored  to  its 
old  position  on  the  street.  New  York  has  not  shown  that  care  of  its  historic  treas- 
ures which  has  characterized  Boston  and  Philadelphia,  both  of  which  retain  their 
old  Colonial  civic  buildings.  And  certainly,  if  the  old  Federal  Hall  had  been 
allowed  to  remain  where  it  was,  a  practical  use  could  have  been  made  of  its  in- 
terior, while  the  exterior  could  have  served  to  remind  us  of  our  storied  past  to  the 
enrichment  of  the  entire  community. 

Splendid  private  residences  now  began  to  line  both  sides  of  the  street,  and  the 
coming  power  of  Wall  Street  commercially  and  financially  was  clearly  fore- 
shadowed. A  temporary  wave  of  good  feeling  succeeded  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp 
Act,  and  the  city  prepared  itself  for  a  long  period  of  political  and  commercial 
tranquillity.  The  street  presented  an  aspect  of  serene  confidence  in  the  future. 
The  venders  of  the  famous  tea  water  from  the  pump  in  Chatham  Square,  with 
their  crude  hogsheads  in  carts  or  set  on  wheels,  the  heavily  built  lumbering 
coaches  with  their  showj^  outriders — and  of  all  your  picturesque  figures  the  old  New 
York  darky  resplendent  in  brilliantly  colored  livery,  with  sleek  fat  horses  covered 
with  shining  silver  harness,  makes  the  most  picturesque — the  sedan-chairs  with 
glimpses  of  delightful  young  faces  within,  the  scarlet  coats  of  the  British  officers, 
the  striking  garb  of  swarthy-colored  freebooters  in  port  for  the  day,  the  black  vel- 
vet coats  and  silk  breeches  and  the  three-cornered  hat  of  the  merchant — all  these 
contributed  to  a  scene  of  animation  and  color  such  as  could  be  seen  on  no  other 
street  in  the  dominions  of  his  Most  Gracious  Majesty  in  America. 

Such  then  was  Wall  Street  on  the  morning  of  a  Sabbath  in  April,  1775.  A 
post  rider,  booted  and  spurred  direct  from  Boston,  drew  rein  in  front  of  the  Pres- 


[50] 


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Wall  Street  m  History 


byterian  Church  and  brought  news  of  the  most  startling  character.  The  congre- 
gations of  this  church  and  of  Trinity  still  lingered  at  the  doors.  Polite  conversa- 
tion regarding  nothing  in  particular  was  arrested  by  the  sudden  appearance  of 
this  travel-stained  despatch-bearer,  and  the  people  quickly  gathered  around.  In 
a  few  moments  the  news  was  known.  The  Battle  of  Lexington  had  been  fought 
and  won  four  days  before,  and  the  long-dreaded  War  of  the  Revolution  had  at  last 
begun ! 

A  scene  of  wild  confusion  ensued.  Both  patriot  and  Loyalist  were  momen- 
tarily staggered.  Each  man  felt  compelled  to  take  such  steps  as  seemed  necessary 
to  him  for  the  protection  of  his  family  and  property.  A  spirit  of  universal  mis- 
trust appeared.  No  man  knew  in  whom  to  repose  confidence ;  each  suspected  and 
feared  the  other.  It  was  the  first  of  the  panics  for  which  Wall  Street  has  since  be- 
come noted.  A  few  months  later,  British  troops  occupied  the  city,  and  a  period 
of  nine  weary  years  must  elapse  ere  we  can  resume  the  thread  of  our  narrative. 
During  this  period  population  dwindled  and  commerce  practically  disappeared.  In 
1776  a  disastrous  fire,  as  if  to  emphasize  the  evil  times  upon  which  the  street  had 
fallen,  swept  over  the  city,  leaving  it  a  mass  of  burned  and  blackened  ruins.  The 
stately  old  Presbyterian  Church  no  longer  welcomed  its  pious  congregation.  Its 
hallowed  precincts  echoed  only  to  the  profane  footsteps  of  the  soldiers  of  the  King. 
And  as  if  to  emphasize  the  fall  from  its  high  estate  of  the  once  proud  thoroughfare, 
her  chief  pride  and  glory — historic  Trinity — stood  at  the  head  of  the  street  de- 
serted and  in  melancholy  ruins  for  nearly  ten  years.  Wall  Street  in  1776,  the 
year  of  the  declaration  of  our  independence,  was  indeed  a  pitiable  sight. 

WALL  STREET  AFTER  THE  REVOLUTION 

Wlien  the  last  of  the  British  troops  disappeared  over  the  Battery  wall, 
Washington  and  his  victorious  troops  started  from  the  Bull's  Head  Tavern  in  the 
Bowery  on  their  triumphant  march  into  the  City  of  New  York.  The  city  had  at 
last  come  into  its  own,  and  henceforth  was  no  longer  a  dependent  of  a  foreign 
power.  A  Mayor  and  Aldermen  were  appointed  to  govern  the  city. 

It  is  a  matter  of  profound  regret  that  the  records  of  the  first  meetings  of  our 
Common  Council  appear  to  be  missing.  It  is  a  further  misfortune  that  these  records 
(from  1784  to  1831)  are  still  in  manuscript  form.  Abundant  evidence  is  discov- 
ered from  time  to  time  that  portions  of  these  original  papers  have  been  stolen  and 
some  lost.  That  so  rich  and  important  a  city  as  New  York  should  continue  to  ex- 
pose herself  to  the  possible  loss  of  these  valuable  documents  seems  beyond  belief. 
Nevertheless,  such  is  the  fact.  The  records  of  our  earliest  infancy,  the  most  inter- 
esting period  in  our  city's  history,  have  never  yet  been  published.  For  years  they 
were  kept  in  the  old  City  Hall,  a  building  far  from  fireproof.  They  are  now  in 
the  Aldermanic  Library  in  the  new  Municipal  Building,  and  in  a  modern  building 
like  that  are  a  little  safer  than  before.  Yet  these  records  are  constantly  consulted; 
they  contain  an  itemized  description  of  the  unfolding  of  the  young  city  from  week 
to  week  that  is  priceless  from  an  historic  point  of  view,  and  the  trifling  expense 


[53] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


required  to  print  a  small  edition  and  thus  remove  forever  the  danger  of  losing  these 
records,  should  anything  happen  to  the  originals,  would  be  a  most  wise  investment. 
It  is  largely  a  case  of  "what's  everybody's  business  is  nobody's  business."  The 
average  citizen  does  not  know  of  this  situation  and  the  Powers  That  Be  are  evi- 
dently afraid  to  appropriate  the  amount  necessary  to  remedy  the  evil.  Those  of 
our  readers  who  may  be  able  to  bring  pressure  to  bear  on  the  jSIayor  and  Alder- 
men would  render  a  great  service  to  the  city  by  lending  their  aid  to  tlie  accom- 
plislmient  of  this  worthy  object. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  newly  appointed  JNIayor,  James  Duane,  is  dated  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1784.  And  we  know,  from  references  made  in  these  minutes  of  later 
dates,  that  they  refer  to  transactions  which  apjJear  to  have  been  brought  up  previous 
to  the  meeting  of  February  10th.  On  February  lOtli,  and  thenceforth,  the  records 
are  apparently  complete  and  at  this  date  we  resume  our  story. 

This  meeting  was  held  at  the  address  of  one  John  Sinmions,  innholder,  whose 
tavern  was  at  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets  where  the  Bankers'  Trust 
Co.'s  Building  now  stands.  By  a  curious  coincidence  a  great-great-grandson  of 
Duane's  is  a  Vice-President  of  the  corporation  occupying  the  site  of  the  modest  inn 
where  his  ancestor  presided  over  the  first  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  of  the 
City  of  New  York. 

This  John  Simmons  was  evidently  a  man  of  some  parts  in  his  day,  as  Wash- 
ington is  said  to  have  dined  in  his  tavern  on  the  night  of  the  evacuation,  and  his 
name  appears  frequently  in  the  letters  of  Washington  Irving  to  his  friend  James 
Brevoort.  It  is  also  on  record  that  he  weighed  about  400  lbs.,  so  in  one  respect  at 
least  he  was  a  citizen  of  weight. 

The  revival  of  Wall  Street  after  the  Revolution  was  one  of  the  marvels  of 
the  day.  When  the  British  left  New  York,  Wall  Street  plainly  showed  the  dis- 
tressing effects  of  the  British  occupation.  Most  of  its  beautiful  shade  trees  had 
been  destroyed  for  fuel.  ISIany  of  its  houses  were  vacant  and  all  in  sad  need  of 
repair.  Its  gutters  had  fallen  in  and  its  roadway  was  a  succession  of  humps, 
ridges  and  debris.  The  Presbyterian  Church  was  almost  in  ruins,  and  the  charred 
walls  of  Trinity  spread  a  feeling  of  gloom  and  depression  over  all.  The  City  Hall 
fared  but  slightly  better.  It  had  been  used  for  nearly  seven  years  as  a  prison,  and 
its  valuable  library  had  been  scattered  to  the  four  winds.  oNIonths  elapsed  before 
much  of  it  was  located.  The  building  itself  had  also  suffered  from  neglect  and 
misuse.  Altogether,  the  upper  part  of  the  street  was  in  a  deplorable  condition  from 
any  point  of  view,  and  the  lower  part  had  been  practically  abandoned  to  the  pigs 
that  swarmed  everywhere  in  search  of  food.  Under  normal  conditions  the  popu- 
lation of  New  York  in  1784  would  no  doubt  have  been  about  45,000.  It  was  over 
25,000  in  1775.  In  1783,  however,  it  had  shrunk  to  less  than  12,000.  It  was  from 
this  discouraging  point  that  Wall  Street  had  to  start. 

With  the  organization,  however,  of  the  City  Government  under  Duane,  mat- 
ters at  once  began  to  mend.  Alexander  Hamilton  was  among  the  first  New 
Yorkers  to  realize  the  possibilities  of  the  new  city,  and  he  labored  day  in  and 
day  out  to  impress  others  with  his  splendid  optiuiism.  The  second  event  that  helped 


[54] 


THIS  CiUSTOM  MOUSE  ,  WALL  STli'ffiET 


ttt  HtPUt  of  1!Jrua^  aub  Wall  g'trrrta  in  1S45.  SlrvtiHiinrrft  frum 
tlfp  ©rigtttal  tu  lljr  PosBrBBimt  of  Hr.  31.  p.  HHnrgan 
No  Dtljrr  ropire  of  lljiH  jtriut  arc  knouni  to  rxiot 


THIS  PICTURE  IS  OF  EXTRAORDINARY  I NTEREST.  SHOWl  NG  AS  IT 
DOES  MANY  HOMELY  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  A  STREET  SCENE  IN  NEW 
YORK  IN  THE  40;  THE  CUSTOM  HOUSE,  NOW  THE  SUB-TREASURY. 
WAS  JUST  COMPLETED  AND  WAS  ACCLAIMED  THE  FINEST  BUILDING 
IN  THE  CITY.  THE  LITTLE  OYSTER  STAND  IN  FRONT  OF  THE  MORGAN 
BUILDING  STOOD  THERE  FOR  SEVERAL  YEARS.  THE  CART-TAIL  ORA- 
TOR OF  TO-DAY  IS  EVIDENTLY  NO  NEWDEVELOPMENT.ASWE  SEE  HIS 
PROTOTYPE  ON  THE  LEFT  THE  QUAINT  OLD  CHAISE  ON  THE  RIGHT. 
WITH  A  RATHER  SPIRITED  TROTTER.  SUGGESTS  OUR  LATER  ROAD- 
STERS AND  GABE  CASE  S  THE  ROUND  TOP  COVERED  WAGON  AT 
LEFT. THE  FARMER  S  CART  IN  FRONTOFTHE  OYSTER  STANDANDTHE 
SMALL  HAND  PUSHED  VEHICLES  IN  FRONT  WERE  ALL  TYPICAL  OF 
THE  TIME 

THE  MORGAN  CORNER  WAS  OCCUPIED  BY  THE  YANKEE  CARD  PRESS. 
A  SMALL  PRINTING  CONCERN.  AND  OSGOOD  AND  BURLING.  A  FIRM  OF 
AUCTIONEERS.  WERE  NEXT  DOOR  THE  HANGING  SIGN  OF  A  WATCH 
WAS  THAT  OF  W  F  LADD  THE  REST  OF  BROAD  STREET  WAS  LINED 
WITH  PUBLIC  WAREHOUSES.  COMMISSION  MERCHANTS  AND  NEARLY 
EVERYTHING  ELSE  BUT  FINANCE 

THIS  DRAWING  WAS  MADE  BY  ROBERT  KERR.  AN  ENGLISH  ARCHITECT. 
WHO  ESSAYED  A  NUMBER  OF  NEW  YORK  VIEWS  OF  WHICH  THIS  IS 
THE  FIRST  TRADITION  HAS  IT  THAT  THE  CARICATURING  OF  THE 
FIGURES  WAS  RESENTED  AND  THE  PROJECT  DIED  AT  BIRTH 


Wall  Street  in  History 


in  the  rejuvenation  of  Wall  Street  was  the  selection  of  New  York  and  its  City- 
Hall  as  the  meeting  place  of  the  Provincial  Congress.  Hamilton  was  quick  to  see 
the  advantages  to  be  derived  by  New  York  as  the  Capital  City  of  the  new  Republic 
and  immediately  formed  plans  with  that  object  in  view.  There  is  a  letter  in  the 
possession  of  John  D.  Crimmins,  written  by  Hamilton  to  Richard  Varick,  urging 
upon  him  the  necessity  of  restoring  the  City  Hall  to  a  habitable  condition,  and  of- 
fering it  outright  to  Congress  for  use  as  a  Federal  Hall.  This  plan  eventually- 
succeeded.    The  letter  is  as  follows: 

Dear  Sr: 

It  is  in  my  opinion  intirely  necessary  that  the  Common  Council  should  be  convened  this  day  in  order  to  pass 
an  act  for  appropriating  the  City  Hall  to  the  use  of  Congress.  The  act  should  be  published  in  the  papers 
&  notified  by  yourself,  or  if  you  are  not  well  enough  by  a  committee  or  member  of  your  board  to  the  Senators 
&  representatives  as  they  arrive  .  .  .  The  Philadelphians  are  endeavouring  to  raise  some  cavils  on  this 
point — The  thing  must  not  pass  to-day.  For  propriety  absolutely  requires  that  the  Members  should  be  offered 
a  place  by  tomorrow  which  is  the  day  for  assembling. 

Yrs 

A  Hamilton. 

Richard  Varick,  Esq. 
Tuesday,  Mch  3rd,  1789. 

To  Major  Pierre  Charles  I'Enfant  was  intrusted  the  work  of  remodelling 
the  City  Hall.  He  was  a  French  engineer  who  served  with  distinction  under 
Baron  Steuben  and  won  immortal  fame  by  subsequently  planning  the  National 
Capitol  at  Washington.  His  work  on  the  City  Hall  proved  a  tremendous  suc- 
cess. No  building  in  any  American  city  could  compare  in  elegance  with  the  re- 
modelled City  Hall.  It  not  only  realized  but  exceeded  all  expectations.  The 
marble  pavement,  the  painted  ceilings,  the  crimson  damask  canopies  and  hangings 
and  handsome  furniture  more  nearly  suggested  an  Old  World  royal  residence  than 
the  simple  edifice  required  for  a  plain  republic.  Some  there  were  who  criticised  in 
this  vein ;  but  in  the  end  all  was  serene. 

The  reception  to  Sir  John  Temple,  the  first  consul-general  from  Great  Britain, 
was  an  event  which  did  much  to  justify  the  lavish  expenditure  for  this  building. 
The  appointment  of  Thomas  Jefferson  as  Minister  to  France,  the  meetings  held 
in  remonstrance  to  Great  Britain  against  infractions  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace  and 
other  events,  added  further  to  the  pubHc  pride  in  the  building,  so  that  when  the 
time  came  to  offer  it  to  the  Federal  Government  it  was  a  structure  whose  fame  had 
penetrated  to  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  country. 

Hamilton  finally  succeeded  in  his  plan,  and  when  Recorder  Varick  formally 
tendered  the  building  to  Congress  on  March  3,  1789,  its  acceptance  was  already 
assured.  And  at  a  vote  taken  April  6,  1789,  in  this  building  an  important  for- 
ward step  was  taken  in  the  history  of  the  new  Republic  when,  as  a  result.  General 
George  Washington  was  formally  declared  the  choice  of  all  the  delegates  for  the 
office  of  Chief  Magistrate.  Washington  was  accordingly  declared  President,  and 
John  Adams,  having  the  next  highest  number  of  votes,  was  declared  Vice-Presi- 
dent. From  that  time  forward  till  the  day  of  Washington's  inauguration,  Wall 
Street  seethed  with  pleasurable  anticipation. 

Washington  arrived  at  Elizabethtown  Point  on  April  23,  1789.   The  city  was 


[57] 


Glimpses  of  Old  'New  York 


everywhere  gaily  decorated.  Flags,  streamers  and  festoons  of  flowers  were  every- 
where disjjlayed.  The  landing  stage  at  Murray's  Wharf  was  carpeted  and  the  rails 
hung  with  crimson  cloth.  A  huge  bronze  eagle  grasping  thirteen  arrows  and  bear- 
ing the  arms  of  the  United  States,  adorned  the  chief  pediment  of  the  new  Con- 
gressional Building.  The  roar  of  cannon  and  the  ringing  of  bells  proclaimed  the 
near  approach  of  the  stately  barge,  manned  by  thirteen  pilots  dressed  in  white, 
and  when  the  well-known  figure  of  the  beloved  Commander-in-chief  was  recog- 
nized, shouts  and  cheers  from  a  delighted  multitude  rent  the  air. 

Declining  the  carriage  provided  for  him.  General  Washington  walked  on  foot 
up  Pearl  Street  to  Cherry  Street  to  the  beautiful  Franklin  Mansion,  which  had 
been  prepared  for  his  use.  On  another  page  we  show  a  sketch  of  this  building, 
drawn  by  A.  J.  Davis,  the  architect  of  the  Sub-Treasury  Building  on  the  corner 
of  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets.  Davis  made  a  number  of  sketches  of  prominent 
buildings  between  the  years  1820  and  1830,  and  this  is  one  that  has  fortunately 
been  preserved  for  us,  and  is  owned  by  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  Frank- 
lin had  been  a  wealthy  merchant  in  New  York,  and  his  home  rivalled  the  famous 
Walton  House  in  elegance.  The  two  men  were  close  neighbors  for  that  day.  One 
of  the  piers  of  the  Brooklyn  Bridge,  resting  on  the  corner  of  Cherry  Street  near 
Franklin  Square,  marks  the  former  site  of  this  now  famous  mansion.  It  was  taken 
down  about  1870.  There  was  some  alteration  made  in  the  house  after  Washing- 
ton lived  there,  a  third  story  being  added,  and  the  sloping  roof  disappears. 

The  inauguration  ceremony  occurred  a  week  after  Washington's  arrival,  and 
Wall  Street  was  alive  with  the  noted  men  of  the  day.  Robert  INIorris,  Oliver  Ells- 
worth, John  Adams,  Roger  Sherman,  James  JNIadison,  Benjamin  Franklin,  John 
Jay,  Rufus  King,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Chancellor  Livingston  and  other  well-known 
New  Yorkers  could  be  seen  on  the  street  almost  any  day.  After  the  seven  lean 
years  Wall  Street  was  coming  into  its  own. 

At  one  o'clock  April  30,  1789,  the  head  of  the  procession  appeared  coming 
around  from  Pearl  into  Broad  Street.  Approaching  the  Hall,  the  carriage 
halted,  and  General  Washington,  escorted  by  General  Webb,  Colonel  Nicholas 
Fish,  Colonel  William  Smith,  Colonel  Franks,  IMajor  Leonard  Bleecker  and  John 
R.  Livingston  passed  through  a  guard  of  troops  to  the  Senate  Chamber,  followed 
by  invited  guests  and  distinguished  bodies  of  citizens. 

For  a  moment  Washington  stood  on  the  balcony  in  full  view  of  the  people. 
He  was  dressed  in  a  suit  of  dark  bro\vn  cloth,  with  metal  buttons  ornamented  with 
eagles.  His  stockings  were  white  and  his  shoebuckles  silver.  He  carried  a  simple 
steel-hilted  dress  sword  and  his  powdered  hair  was  worn  in  the  fashion  of  the  times. 
He  was  greeted  by  an  immense  multitude,  who  cheered  him  with  such  enthusiasm 
that  for  the  moment  he  seemed  unable  to  control  himself  and  involuntarily  made 
a  slight  movement  backward.  Perhaps  this  great  man,  who  always  underrated 
himself,  became  conscious  just  for  the  moment  of  the  tremendous  part  he  had 
played  in  the  drama  of  human  history,  and  possibly  a  vision  of  its  great  conse- 
quences to  future  generations  flashed  across  his  mind.  However  that  may  have 
been,  he  was  deeply  moved.   But  immediately,  his  natural  calmness  and  serenity 


[58] 


ONE  OF  THE  PIERS  OF  THE  BROOKLYN  BRIDGE  NOW  RESTS  ON  THE 
SITE  OF  THIS  HISTORIC  BUILDING  CHERRY  STREET  WAS  AT  ONE 
TIME  A  VERY  FASHIONABLE  LOCALITY  AND  HAD  MANY  DISTIN 
GUISHED  RESIDENTS  CAPTAIN  REID  THE  HERO  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF 
FAYAL  (WHICH  SAVED  NEW  ORLEANS    18  12)    BEING  AMONG  THEM 


Wall  Street  in  PIistory 


asserted  themselves,  and  he  stood  forth,  looking  out  on  the  sea  of  faces  before  him 
with  the  modest  dignity  and  the  true  bearing  of  the  hero. 

It  was  a  solemn  moment  as  the  great  soldier  bowed  his  head  while  Samuel  Otis 
slowly  read  the  oath  of  allegiance.  Washington  reverently  kissed  the  outstretched 
Bible,  and  one  of  the  most  momentous  events  in  all  history  was  thus  concluded. 
With  the  official  proclamation,  "Long  live  George  Washington,  President  of  the 
United  States!"  the  great  cheering  was  renewed,  combined  with  a  roar  of  artillery 
louder  than  New  York  had  ever  heard  before. 

Across  the  street,  where  Morgan's  Building  now  stands,  stood  Alexander 
Hamilton  watching  the  scene  from  the  windows  of  his  own  home;  and  a  little  six- 
year-old  lad  who  was  almost  lost  in  the  crowd,  but  was  determined  to  see  his 
namesake,  had  his  wish  fully  gratified.  He  afterwards  lived  to  bring  further  renown 
to  the  name  Washington,  as  the  little  boy  was  Washington  Irving. 

With  the  inauguration  of  the  new  President,  and  the  Nation  at  last  on  a  sound 
basis,  we  take  leave  of  Wall  Street  of  historic  days  to  review  its  marvellous  de- 
velopment in  more  modern  days. 

FAMOUS  WALL  STREET  "INDUSTRIALS" 

With  the  inauguration  of  General  Washington  as  President  the  new  Re- 
public was  at  length  fairly  launched,  and  Wall  Street,  already  the  most  important 
thoroughfare  in  the  country,  immediately  began  to  add  fresh  laurels  to  her  past 
achievements.  It  soon  began  to  be  the  most  fashionable  street,  and  imposing  private 
residences  lined  both  sides.  The  popularity  of  the  "Church  Walk"  in  front  of 
Trinity  was  soon  usurped  by  the  afternoon  promenade  on  Wall  Street,  which 
rapidly  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  features  of  New  York.  Everybody  and 
his  wife  were  to  be  encountered  on  its  narrow  walk;  sedan-chairs,  and  gaily  decked 
family  coaches  with  negro  outriders  in  gorgeous  raiment,  were  a  common  sight. 
The  clothing  of  that  day  was  not  the  funereal  black  to  which  we  are  accustomed. 
Silk  knee-breeches,  powdered  wigs,  colored  coats  and  stockings,  shining  silver 
buckles  on  the  shoes,  added  a  note  of  cheerfulness  to  the  street  which  must  have 
been  very  entertaining. 

But  the  people  themselves  were  the  most  interesting.  As  has  always  been 
characteristic  of  Wall  Street,  they  represented  the  leaders  in  Finance,  Commerce, 
Politics  and  Society.  Benjamin  Franklin  would  rub  elbows  with  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton, whose  guests  at  dinner  would  include,  besides  the  Quaker  philosopher,  Jeffer- 
son, Adams,  Jay,  Madison,  Knox,  Gates  and  others.  The  Jays,  Kings,  Alsops, 
Duers  and  other  old  families  connected  with  the  early  growth  of  New  York  were 
frequently  in  evidence.  And  as  Wall  Street  then  was  noted  for  the  eminence  of  its 
residents  and  of  the  stranger  within  its  gates,  so  has  that  peculiarity  survived  to  the 
present  day.  It  is  quite  within  reason  to  say  that  almost  every  prominent  man  of 
our  generation  has  been  at  some  time  or  other  a  visitor  to  this  narrowest,  but  most 
dominating  thoroughfare  in  the  New  World.  And  it  is  to  a  brief  glimpse  of  the 
"Street"  as  it  is  to-day  (1916)  that  we  now  turn  our  attention. 


[61] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


The  passing  away  of  the  late  J.  Pierpont  Morgan  in  the  city  of  the  Roman 
Emperors  was  a  fitting  end  to  a  career  not  without  its  elements  of  old-time  chiv- 
alry and  present-day  romance.  His  last  trip  down  the  Nile  from  the  ancient 
strongholds  of  the  Egyptians  to  the  land  of  the  Ca?sars  had  about  it  something 
of  the  classic  atmosphere  that  ever  surrounded  this  King  of  Kings  in  Finance. 
Curiously  enough,  with  his  demise  there  also  came  to  an  end  a  distinct  era  in  the 
development  of  American  business.  And  of  that  strange  and  wonderful  period 
of  combination,  amalgamation  and  reorganization  of  which  he  was  easily  the  leader 
We  would  recount  one  or  two  of  the  gigantic  deals  which  for  all  time  must  stand  as 
milestones  in  the  progress  of  the  Nation's  business. 

It  is  difficult  now  to  realize  exactly  the  wonder  and  astonishment  with  which 
the  news  was  received  that  a  new  "Trust"  was  being  formed,  the  capital  of  which 
was  so  enormous  as  to  be  outside  the  range  of  ordinary  comprehension.  No  one 
had  ever  dreamed,  no  one  had  ever  imagined,  that  a  business  could  be  so  large  as 
to  require  a  capital  of  over  fifteen  hundred  millions  of  dollars.  Even  Wall  Street 
was  staggered  and  the  district  buzzed  with  excitement. 

In  the  early  negotiations  Mr.  Charles  M.  Schwab  loomed  large  in  the  public 
eye.  It  was  generally  understood  then,  that  he  secured  a  much  better  price  for 
the  Carnegie  holdings  than  was  at  first  deemed  possible.  He  was  always  credited 
with  considerable  ability  as  a  salesman,  and  in  this  instance  not  only  justified  his 
reputation  but  added  greatly  to  it.  He  became  the  first  President  of  the  Steel  Cor- 
poration and  was  the  youngest  man  with  the  largest  salary  in  the  country. 

"Charlie,"  as  his  friends  delight  to  call  him,  not  content  with  the  wonderful 
success  he  had  already  won,  did  a  most  remarkable  and  unusual  thing — threw  the 
Presidency  of  the  Steel  Trust  overboard  and  then  started  in  to  build  up  a  cor- 
poration of  his  own.  The  motive  was  clearly  not  mercenary — he  had  all  the  money 
he  needed  and  a  great  deal  more.  Several  more  or  less  plausible  stories  were  afloat 
at  the  time,  most  of  which  hinted  at  a  tiff  with  the  directors  arising  from  certain 
lurid  tales  concerning  wild  nights  at  Monte  Carlo  which,  by  the  way,  had  no  foun- 
dation in  fact.  The  truth  seems  to  be,  however,  that,  like  many  another  man,  he 
grew  tired  of  the  ceaseless  talk  that  his  success  was  really  due  to  the  friendship  of 
other  men  and  that  his  own  individuality  did  not  amount  to  so  much  after  all.  His 
new  venture  therefore,  if  successful,  would  refute  all  these  aspersions  and  prove  that 
his  own  initiative  was  the  real  mainspring  of  his  prosperity.  And  so  came  into  the 
field  the  Bethlehem  Steel  Company,  whose  spectacular  career  during  the  past  year 
or  so  has  astonished  even  the  wildest  partisans  of  Schwab  and  has  utterly  con- 
founded his  critics.  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  so  to  speak,  Bethlehem  advanced 
from  $30  a  share  to  over  $500,  and  they  say  the  book  value  is  still  greater. 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  Schwab  started  life  as  a  coal  breaker  on  the  Carnegie  works. 
He  is  to-day  one  of  the  greatest  figures  in  American  business,  and  whatever  doubt 
there  may  have  been  regarding  the  credit  of  his  bringing  up,  it  is  now  everwhere 
conceded  that  he  has  amply  demonstrated  the  right  to  stand  as  his  own  indi\adual 
creation.    And  in  this  thought  there  is  encouragement  for  all. 

The  organization  of  this  gigantic  steel  combination  focussed  the  eyes  of  the 


[62] 


THIS  IS  ONE  OF  THE  EARLIEST  VIEWS  OF  WALL  STREET  AND  DATES 
BUT  A  FEW  YEARS  AFTER  THE  ERECTION  OF  THE  BUILDING  ITSELF. 
IT  IS  PARTICULARLY  INTERESTING  BECAUSE  OF  THE  FACT  THAT  IT 
WAS  DRAWN  BEFORE  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  WAS  ERECTED. 
AND  WHILE  TRINITY  WAS  STILL  A  VERY  INCONSEQUENTIAL  STRUC- 
TURE. THE  EAST  SIDE  OF  BROAD  STREET  WAS  STILL  VACANT.  ATA 
RECENT  SALE  THE  PRINT.  FROM  WHICH  THE  ABOVE  IS  A  COPY. 
BROUGHT  $3,000.  THE  HIGHEST  PRICE  BY  FAR  YET  REACHED  FOR 
TIEBOUT  DRAWINGS. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    PERCY    R.  PYNE.  2N0 


Wall  Street  in  History 


world  for  the  moment  on  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  the  home  of  the  steel  industry,  and 
almost  any  man  from  the  Smoky  City  was  popularly  regarded  as  a  "millionaire." 

But  Wall  Street  is  cosmopolitan  in  its  affections,  and  its  favorites  come  from 
everywhere.  The  tall  figure  of  Thomas  F.  Ryan,  the  street  railway  and  tobacco 
magnate;  Mr.  James  B.  Duke  and  Mr.  Benjamin  N.  Duke,  Mr.  Caleb  C.  Dula, 
Mr.  Robert  B.  Dula;  young  Nicholas  F.  Brady,  who  with  his  brother  Joseph  suc- 
ceeded to  the  enormous  interests  of  his  father,  the  late  Anthony  N.  Brady,  in  the 
same  line — all  these  names  are  redolent  of  the  early  days  of  the  American  Tobacco 
Company,  when  the  violent  fluctuation  of  its  stock  was  the  sensation  of  the  hour. 

The  history  of  this  Company,  being  one  of  the  earliest  of  what  is  now  known 
as  "Industrials,"  is  certainly  a  romantic  and  interesting  tale.  It  was  contempora- 
neous with  sugar,  and  these  two  stocks  blazed  the  way  for  the  subsequent  combina- 
tions of  steel,  wire  and  a  hundred  others. 

It  was  along  toward  the  close  of  1889  that  there  was  talk  of  a  merger  between 
the  cigarette  manufacturers.  The  original  members  of  the  combination  consisted 
of  W.  Duke,  Sons  &  Co.,  Kinney  Bros.,  William  S.  Kimball  &  Co.,  Goodwin 
&  Co.  and  Allen  &  Ginter.  The  original  capital  was  twenty-five  millions,  fifteen 
common  and  ten  million  preferred.  This  was  regarded,  in  those  days,  as  something 
stupendous.  James  B.  Duke  was  chosen  President,  John  Pope  1st  Vice-Presi- 
dent, William  S.  Kimball  2nd  Vice-President,  William  H.  Butler  Secretary  and 
Charles  G.  Emory  Treasurer.  These  officers,  and  the  following  gentlemen,  con- 
stituted the  first  Board  of  Directors:  Lewis  Ginter  of  Richmond,  George  Arents, 
B.  N.  Duke,  George  W.  Watts  and  Francis  S.  Kinney.  The  Constitution  and 
Bylaws  bears  the  date  of  January,  1890.  The  new  combination  was  a  huge  suc- 
cess, paying  12  per  cent,  on  its  common  stock  regularly  till  its  entrance  into  the 
plug  tobacco  field,  when  for  a  short  time  it  postponed  dividends  but  afterwards 
made  it  up  in  scrip.    It  has  been  a  profit-producing  stock  since  the  beginning. 

In  those  early  days  both  sugar  and  tobacco  were  constantly  being  assailed  in 
the  courts  on  grounds  of  illegal  methods.  The  Hon.  Joseph  H.  Choate  was 
senior  counsel  for  the  latter,  but  Williamson  W.  Fuller  was  soon  in  charge  of  the 
legal  department  of  the  Company,  assisted  by  Junius  Parker  and  Ambrose  H. 
Burroughs,  the  patent  expert,  and  it  was  under  their  administration  that  most  of 
the  battles  were  fought.  It  was  generally  supposed  that  the  success  of  the  Com- 
pany rested  on  its  monopoly  of  the  Bonsack  machine  for  making  cigarettes,  con- 
trolled by  the  Company,  and  its  method  of  "consigning"  and  not  selling  outright. 
In  due  time  the  Bonsack  patents  expired,  and  Mr.  Fuller  voluntarily  discontinued 
the  consignment  scheme.  Neither  of  these  factors  apparently  had  much  to  do  with 
the  success  of  the  business,  as  it  continued  to  grow  and  expand  at  an  enormous  rate 
in  spite  of  these  changes. 

At  about  this  juncture  a  new  group  of  capitalists  entered  the  field  with  Wil- 
liam H.  Butler  at  its  head,  who  had  withdrawn  from  the  American.  Thomas  F. 
Ryan,  the  late  Anthony  N.  Brady,  P.  A.  B.  Widener  and  Stephen  B.  Elkins,  to- 
gether with  Oliver  H.  Payne  and  other  members  of  the  Standard  Oil,  were  inter- 
ested in  the  new  company  called  the  Union  Tobacco  Co.    They  commenced  opera- 


[65] 


.ij.Mi'SES  OF  Old  New  York 


tions  the  Bull  Durham  business  in  Philadelphia,  the  Liggett  &  Myers 

Tol^  t.  Louis  and  some  others.    A  serious  trade  war  was  apparently 

'  Stock  Exchange  witnessed  some  remarkable  pyrotechnics  as  a  re- 
cnd  harmony  was  restored,  the  brilliant  Butler  withdrew  to  form  a 
111  successful  company  of  his  own,  and  James  B.  Dnke  wns  plectpr)  hrr\<\ 
!ie  entire  amalgamation  of  the  new  and  old  companies. 

The  Board  of  Directors  of  1898  contains  quite  a  number  of  new  names  re- 
rtecting  the  growth  of  the  Company.    Tl  F.  Jeffress  of  Richmond,  William 

R.  Irby  of  New  Orleans,  John  B.  '    i  V  illc,  T.  B.  Yuille,  Rufus  L.  Pat- 

terson of  marvellous  mechanical  i  .  b  C.  Dula  of  St.  Louis,  C.  W. 

Toms  of  Durham,  Pierre  Lorillard.  Thomas  F.  Ryan,  Anthony  N.  Brady,  Ohver 
II.  Payne,  Grant  B.  Schley,  Herbert  L.  Terrell  and  others.  The  five  last  named, 
however,  were  not  tobacco  men  in  the  sense  in  which  the  others  were,  representing 
merely  banking  interests. 

A  lull  of  tranquillity  succeeded  the  harmonizing  of  the  various  organizations 
now  combined  into  one  huge  corporation  with  "J.  B.,"  as  he  is  affectionately  known 
to  his  intimates,  at  the  head.  This  period  of  inaction,  however,  lasted  just  about 
long  enough  to  consolidate  and  organize  properly  the  newl  i.ired  forces,  when 
the  English  market  suddenly  loomed  up  as  a  field  f(ir  i  ,  expansion.  The 
British  campaign,  for  dramatic  suddenness  and  amazing  success,  is  still  remem- 
bered as  one  (»f  the  most  spectacular  performances  ever  achieved  in  a  peaceful  in- 
dustry. Tl  '  CO  Co.,  Ltd.,  resulted,  and  the  parent  com- 
pany grew                          ^iv        and  r      .  ,  r  ,1 

Other         ,  were  next  a]  ,        •   in  them  was  greatly 

increased,  new  factories  being  o[>ened  in  as  far-away  countries  as  India,  China  and 
Japan. 

Not  muc  h  waA  knu\\  u  iii  die  tii  of  the  Dukes  in  those  earlier  d^y|j  ,Tt  ^va^ 
well-known  Southern  family,  however,  consisting  of  the  father,  Was?jiif^oii^ulce, 
and  his  sons,  B.  N.  and  J.  B.,  and  the  business  was  located  in  Durham.  Early  in 
the  80's  James  moved  to  New  York,  opening  a  small  branch  factory  in  Rivington 
Street,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  annals  of  Wall  Street  form  a  parallel  to  the  re- 
markable career  of  tbis  almost  farmer  lad  from  that  day  to  this. 

From  the  very  '  '      '  'itj,  ]MivaIi)wleB«fliHpd<Ts»cfc  aHcapae©t«i  <iWAi;rEbbH¥flfi^>usiness 

,  ^HI(lUq;aTH3V3  3HI(lri|,T^  YMAM.10,311332  3HT2AW  OliA  .YTID  x'flOY 

that  was  nothing  .s,  .      lU.s  feijijAqlt&»^>iT>W3noMdriia^al<itf.T»ilM*ffl6R^kMtcru^ 

crown  and  the  largest  buildmg  •■^'vtor^vti^m  ^G>3i^^si*''*ifrV\^feW3yM>feD^^?.^-'MPVi9fiM  for  the 
on  Avenue  A  near  38th  Str-  t^^^^^^^^^li^^mij^WMl^^^dy 

,0T!03aii3». QUA  .a*iflA-fiK3(jA^if ziif  iY?i i^^f^i .^^^sji^Hfamiliar 

. HOURS V  THUOM 

:  .  I  Ml^'        30  3Mlil3IT3rY8  ;(J3T3U5rr2Mpp,  ,l(JJAI^»6)flb  «iwi91^^1flfti^W»(l  at  thc 

YS  a32AHDflUS  2AW  Tl  SaT  I  Ml     3  3  M  30  123  R  81  H  8  A  .  6  I  T  I  .  Y3  D  M  A  J 
3HTTI  OHIJJAD  .Hn3VAT  A  a3H3qOOHW  .e3  3HUAjn     MAa  >IOAja" 
»  -aOflq  ^0,2flA3Y  YMAM  paYOLWS  Tl  ,VV*H  MA  8A     •  aA3H  2M33U0"  ... 

Mf-  Amrrrt^,viA3*ia'aAv(^'i5)^34«b3  i^iflsly^Hb  iAt  8»^^  With  a 

C^.u^^3T4m^^d^t:l1w  W^M^  as 
;S6S^S1^^S^mffl^^^^AMr»iness  as 
establislK  <  <  3ht  .  •,  Yj^Art^/^a-T  k^qi26|\^i))^iei(t^^(giaA  elifdasTAH^sT  fortune 

02JA  H01TUJ0V3fl  3HT  30  _2M02  3HT  QUA  aUJO  THDAY  >iflOY  W3I1 

IS  estimated  ai  !?»A3q'iA3Htaj|ua2ima9  3w4bej»i'iBiieoof«tife:^sand'avhile  no 

.3H3HW32J3 

.HOITUJOVBfl   3HT  ?0  2H0e  3HT          H0IT33JJ03  3HT  HOfll 

[66] 


^Fraunrra'  cSaurrn.  ronipr  Jlrarl  aiiii  Sroaii  ^trrrta 
Wiftve  Haabiiigtan  Souk  IFarruirll  at  i|ia  ODfturrti 


FRAUNCES'  TAVERN  IS  ONE  OF  THE  OLDEST  BUILDINGS  IN  NEW 
YORK  CITY.  AND  WAS  THE  SCENE  OF  MANY  STIRRING  EVENTS  DURING 
THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD.  IT  DIVIDES  HONORS  WITH  ST.  PAUL  S 
CHAPEL.  WASHINGTON'S  HEADQUARTERS  AND  THE  VAN  COURTLANDT 
MANSION  IN  ITS  CONNECTION  WITH  MEMORIES  OF  WASHINGTON 
IN  NEW  YORK  IN  THE  LONG  ROOM  '  OCCURRED  THE  AFFECTING 
SCENE  WITH  HIS  OFFICERS  DURING  WHICH.  FOR  THE  LAST  TIME. 
HE  TOOK  LEAVE  OF  HIS  COM  RADES  I N  ARMS.  AND  RETIRED  TO 
MOUNT  VERNON 

THE  BUILDING  WAS  ORIGINALLY  CONSTRUCTED  BY  ETIENNE  DE 
LANCEY.  I7I9.ASHISRES1DENCE  IN  1762ITW  AS  PURCHASED  BY 
"BLACK  SAM  "  FRAUNCES.  WHO  OPENED  A  TAVERN.  CALLING  IT  THE 
"QUEEN'S  HEAD  "  AS  AN  INN.  IT  ENJOYED  MANY  YEARS  OF  PROS- 
PERITY IN  1  768  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  WAS  ORGANIZED 
HERE  IN  1774  THE  SONS  OF  LIBERTY  AND  THE  VIGILANCE  COM- 
MITTEE MET  HERE  TO  PROTEST  AGAINST  THE  IMPORTATION  OF  TEA. 
AND  WOUND  UP  THE  MEETING  BY  MARCHING  TO  THE  SHIP  LON- 
DON. WHICH  HAD  JUST  ARRIVED.  AND  DUMPING  THE  CARGO  INTO 
THE  WATER.  THUS  ANTEDATING  THE  BOSTON  TEA  PARTY  "  THE 
NEW  YORK  YACHT  CLUB  AND  THE  SONS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION  ALSO 
ORGANIZED  HERE  OTHER  PARTICULARS  OF  THIS  BUILDING  APPEAR 
ELSEWHERE 

rnOM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   THE   SONS   OF   THE  REVOLUTION 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


tions  by  acquiring  the  Bull  Durham  business  in  Philadelphia,  the  Liggett  &  Myers 
Tobacco  Co.  in  St.  Louis  and  some  others.  A  serious  trade  war  was  apparently 
in  sight  and  the  Stock  Exchange  witnessed  some  remarkable  pyrotechnics  as  a  re- 
sult. In  the  end  harmony  was  restored,  the  brilliant  Butler  withdrew  to  form  a 
smaller  but  successful  company  of  his  own,  and  James  B.  Duke  was  elected  head 
of  the  entire  amalgamation  of  the  new  and  old  companies. 

The  Board  of  Directors  of  1898  contains  quite  a  number  of  new  names  re- 
flecting the  growth  of  the  Company.  Thomas  F.  Jeffress  of  Richmond,  William 
R.  Irby  of  New  Orleans,  John  B.  Cobb  of  Danville,  T.  B.  Yuille,  Rufus  L.  Pat- 
terson of  marvellous  mechanical  ingenuity,  Caleb  C.  Dula  of  St.  Louis,  C.  W. 
Toms  of  Durham,  Pierre  Lorillard,  Thomas  F.  Ryan,  Anthony  N.  Brady,  Oliver 
H.  Payne,  Grant  B.  Schley,  Herbert  L.  Terrell  and  others.  The  five  last  named, 
however,  were  not  tobacco  men  in  the  sense  in  which  the  others  were,  representing 
merely  banking  interests. 

A  lull  of  tranquillity  succeeded  the  harmonizing  of  the  various  organizations 
now  combined  into  one  huge  corporation  with  "J.  B.,"  as  he  is  affectionately  known 
to  his  intimates,  at  the  head.  This  period  of  inaction,  however,  lasted  just  about 
long  enough  to  consolidate  and  organize  properh'  the  newly  acquired  forces,  when 
the  English  market  suddenly  loomed  up  as  a  field  for  further  expansion.  The 
British  campaign,  for  dramatic  suddenness  and  amazing  success,  is  still  remem- 
bered as  one  of  the  most  spectacular  performances  ever  achieved  in  a  peaceful  in- 
dustry. The  British- American  Tobacco  Co.,  Ltd.,  resulted,  and  the  parent  com- 
pany grew  immensely  both  in  prestige  and  commercial  renown. 

Other  foreign  countries  were  next  approached.  Business  in  them  was  greatly 
increased,  new  factories  being  opened  in  as  far-away  countries  as  India,  China  and 
Japan. 

Not  much  was  known  in  the  North  of  the  Dukes  in  those  earlier  days.  It  was  a 
well-known  Southern  family,  however,  consisting  of  the  father,  Washington  Duke, 
and  his  sons,  B.  N.  and  J.  B.,  and  the  business  was  located  in  Durham.  Early  in 
the  80's  James  moved  to  New  York,  opening  a  small  branch  factory  in  Rivington 
Street,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  annals  of  Wall  Street  form  a  parallel  to  the  re- 
markable career  of  this  almost  farmer  lad  from  that  day  to  this. 

From  the  very  beginning,  Mr.  Duke  displaj^ed  a  capacity  for  getting  business 
that  was  nothing  short  of  genius.  In  a  few  years  the  Rivington  Street  place  was  out- 
grown and  the  largest  building  devoted  to  the  tobacco  business  was  erected  for  the 
firm  on  Avenue  A  near  38th  Street.  Shortly  after  came  the  combination  already 
spoken  of,  and  from  that  time  on  the  career  of  Mr.  Duke  is  more  or  less  familiar 
to  the  reading  public.  Throughout  all  the  changes  from  '90  he  has  remained  at  the 
head. 

The  dissolution  of  the  American  Tobacco  Co.  in  1911  in  accordance  with  a 
mandate  from  the  Supreme  Court  resulted  in  the  retirement  of  James  B.  Duke  as 
head  of  the  Corporation  and  he  became  Chairman  of  Directors  in  the  business  as 
established  in  England  of  the  British  American  Tobacco  Co.,  Ltd.  His  fortune 
is  estimated  at  many  millions.    He  is  still  a  man  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  while  no 


[66] 


IFrauitrra*  ©attorn 


FRAUNCES'  TAVERN  IS  ONE  OF  THE  OLDEST  BUILDINGS  IN  NEW 
YORK  CITY.  AND  WAS  THE  SCENE  OF  MANY  STIRRING  EVENTS  DURING 
THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD.  IT  DIVIDES  HONORS  WITH  ST  PAUL'S 
CHAPEL.  WASHINGTON'S  H EADOU  ARTERS  AN  D  TH E  VAN  COURTLANDT 
MANSION  IN  ITS  CONNECTION  WITH  MEMORIES  OF  WASHINGTON 
IN  NEW  YORK  IN  THE  "LONG  ROOM  "  OCCURRED  THE  AFFECTING 
SCENE  WITH  HIS  OFFICERS  DURING  WHICH,  FOR  THE  LAST  TIME. 
HE  TOOK  LEAVE  OF  HIS  COMRADES  IN  ARMS.  AND  RETIRED  TO 
MOUNT  VERNON 

THE  BUILDING  WAS  ORIGINALLY  CONSTRUCTED  BY  ETIENNE  DE 
LANCEY.  17I9.ASHISRES1DENCE  IN  1762ITWAS  PURCHASED  BY 
"BLACK  SAM  "  FRAUNCES.  WHO  OPENED  A  TAVERN.  CALLING  IT  THE 
"QUEEN  S  HEAD  ""  AS  AN  INN.  IT  ENJOYED  MANY  YEARS  OF  PROS- 
PERITY IN  1768  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  WAS  ORGANIZED 
HERE  IN  1774  THE  SONS  OF  LIBERTY  AND  THE  VIGILANCE  COM- 
MITTEE MET  HERE  TO  PROTEST  AGAINST  THE  IMPORTATION  OF  TEA. 
AND  WOUND  UP  THE  MEETING  BY  MARCHING  TO  THE  SHIP  "LON- 
DON. "WHICH  HAD  JUST  ARRIVED.  AND  DUMPING  THE  CARGO  INTO 
THE  WATER.  THUS  ANTEDATING  THE  BOSTON  TEA  PARTY  ""  THE 
NEW  YORK  YACHT  CLUB  AND  THE  SONS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION  ALSO 
ORGANIZED  HERE  OTHER  PARTICULARS  OF  THIS  BUILDING  APPEAR 
ELSEWHERE. 

FROM    THE   COLLECTION    OF    THE    SONS    OF    IHf    fU  VOLUTION 


W3M  m  aomajiua  tziojo  3ht  lo  hmo  ei  unavAT  aBOnuAjn 

SMIflUa  2TM3V3  3HlflfllTaYHAMT0  3M3  32  3HT  EAW  QUA  .YTID  ))flOY 
2  JUA1  T8  HTIW  aflOHOH  8301710  Tl  .aOin3q  Yfl AHOITU J0V3n  3HT 
TaHAJTSUOD  HAV3HTaMA  2n3TflAU0aA3H  ZHOTSHIHEAW  .ja^AHD 
MOTOMIHaAW  10  a3lflOM3M  HTIW  MOITD3miOD  ail  Ml  MOiaHAM 
3MITD31TA  3HT  QaflSIUODO  ■'MOOSI  3H0J  '  3HT  Ml  JlflOY  W3M  Ml 
,3MIT  TaAJ  3HT  ftOl  .HOIHW  OMiaUQ  e»30niO  2IH  HTIW  3M302 
OT  a3fllT3a    QMA  .8MflA  MI  23aAJ)MOD   2IH    TO   3VA3J    XOOT  3H 

MOMflSV  TMUOM 

30  3MM3IT3  Ya  OSTOUflTaMOD  YJJAMISIflO   BAW  OMIOJIUa  3HT 

Ya  oaaAHDflUs  aAw  ti  saTi  mi    3DM3oia3fl  am  aA  .eiTi  .ysomaj 

3HT  Tl  3MIJJAD  .MflSVAT  A  a3M390  OHW  .a3DMUAflT  '  MAa  >IDAja  ' 

-aoflq  30  anA3Y  ymam  osyolms  ti  mmi  ma  aA    ■  aA3H  a  M33U0  ' 

a3SIMA3flO  aAW  3Dfl3MM03  30  fl3aMAH3  3HT  83Vt  Ml  .YTIf)3<1 
-MOO  3DMAJI3IV  3HT  OMA  YTflSaiJ  30  aHOa  3HT  ^VVl  Ml  .3H3H 
.A3T  30  MOITATflOIMI  3HT  TaHIASA  Ta3T0aq  OT  3fl3H  T3M  33TTIM 
-MOJ"  ima  3HT  OT  OMIHOflAM  YB  3MIT33M  3HT  lU  OMUOW  QMA 
OTMI  OOflAD  3HT  SMiqMUa  OMA  .03  Vmfl  A  TaU  L  0  AH  HOIHW  '  .MOO 
3HT  •■  YTflA3  A3T'  MOTaOS  3HT  aMITA03TMA  aUHT  .«3TAW  3HT 
OaJA  M0ITUJ0V3S1  3HT  30  BMOa  3HT0MA  aUJO  TH DA Y  XflOY  W3 M 
HA311A  SMIOJIua  aiHT  30  aflAJUDITflA3  flSHTO  .3fl3H  03IIMA3HO 

.3R3HW3aJ3 

HOITUJOVBfl   3HT  10   znoz   3HT  10   K0IT33JJO3  3HT  MOfll 


IFrauttrpB*  (Saurnt,  rurnrr  Prarl  nixh  Mraah  S-lrrrta 
Wt^ttt  Hasbiitgtau  ulouk  iFarnurll  uf  l|ia  (iDaurrii 


FRAUNCES'  TAVERN  IS  ONE  OF  THE  OLDEST  BUILDINGS  IN  NEW 
YORK  CITY.  AND  WAS  THE  SCENE  OF  MANY  STIRRING  EVENTS  DURING 
THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD  IT  DIVIDES  HONORS  WITH  ST,  PAUL  S 
CHAPEL.  WASHINGTON'S  HEADQUARTERS  AND  THE  VAN  COURTLANDT 
MANSION  IN  ITS  CONNECTION  WITH  MEMORIES  OF  WASHINGTON 
IN  NEW  YORK  IN  THE  "LONG  ROOM"  OCCURRED  THE  AFFECTING 
SCENE  WITH  HIS  OFFICERS  DURING  WHICH.  FOR  THE  LAST  TIME. 
HE  TOOK  LEAVE  OF  HIS  COMRADES  IN  ARMS.  AND  RETIRED  TO 
MOUNT  VERNON 

THE  BUILDING  WAS  ORIGINALLY  CONSTRUCTED  BY  ETIENNE  DE 
LANCEY.  I7I9.ASHISRES1DENCE  IN  I762ITW  AS  PURCHASED  BY 
"BLACK  SAM  FRAUNCES.  WHO  OPENED  A  TAVERN.  CALLING  IT  THE 
■  queen  s  HEAD  "  AS  AN  INN,  IT  ENJOYED  MANY  YEARS  OF  PROS- 
PERITY IN  1768  THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  WAS  ORGANIZED 
HERE  IN  1774  THE  SONS  OF  LIBERTY  AND  THE  VIGILANCE  COM- 
MITTEE MET  HERE  TO  PROTEST  AGAINST  THE  IMPORTATION  OF  TEA. 
AND  WOUND  UP  THE  MEETING  BY  MARCHING  TO  THE  SHIP  LON- 
DON. WHICH  HAD  JUST  ARRIVED.  AND  DUMPING  THE  CARGO  INTO 
THE  WATER.  THUS  ANTEDATING  THE  BOSTON  "TEA  PARTY  '  THE 
NEW  YORK  YACHT  CLUB  AND  THE  SONS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION  ALSO 
ORGANIZED  HERE.  OTHER  PARTICULARS  OF  THIS  BUILDING  APPEAR 
ELSEWHERE 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   THE   SONS   OF   THE  REVOLUTION 


Wall  Street  in  History 


longer  so  deeply  interested  in  making  money  is  actively  engaged  in  using  some  of 
it  for  the  benefit  of  his  native  State.  He  and  his  brother  have  endowed  Trinity 
College  in  Durham  and  have  put  a  large  amount  of  capital  into  plans  looking 
tow^ard  the  development  of  North  Carolina  as  a  great  manufacturing  State  based 
on  its  wonderful  natural  water  power. 

In  addition  to  these  benefactions,  his  work  in  the  development  of  the  tobacco 
market  has  been  of  incalculable  benefit  not  only  to  his  native  State  but  to  the  entire 
South  as  well.  No  branch  of  agriculture  has  shown  such  enormous  expansion  as 
has  tobacco  culture.  From  a  small  strip  of  territory  in  North  Carolina,  known 
as  the  Bur  ley  region,  the  crop  has  spread  all  through  Kentucky  and  adjoining 
States  till  the  annual  production  in  pounds  has  risen  by  the  millions.  In  1889, 
the  period  of  the  forming  of  the  combination,  the  money  paid  to  the  Government 
for  Internal  revenue  amounted  to  thirty-two  millions.  In  1916  this  figure  had 
increased  to  the  gigantic  sum  of  over  eighty  million  dollars!  To  handle  this  enor- 
mous increase  of  business  new  factories  have  had  to  be  built,  foreign  markets 
opened,  and  thousands  of  persons  employed.  The  new  business  thus  created  has 
ramifications  in  illimitable  directions,  not  the  least  of  which  is  the  introduction  of 
American  tobacco  to  the  uttermost  ends  of  the  earth.  It  is  quite  evident  that  with 
small  capital  no  such  results  could  be  produced.  But  our  Government,  instead 
of  rewarding  such  marvellous  achievements,  takes  an  entirely  opposite  view. 

In  running  over  the  list  of  men  whose  work  figured  so  largely  in  the  early 
career  of  the  tobacco  combination  and  who  nevertheless  figured  not  at  all  in  the 
public  eye  some  names  may  escape  me,  for  recent  changes  have  been  many,  and  not 
a  few,  like  the  late  Wm.  R.  Harris,  have  passed  away.  Many  men  from  many 
cities  joined  the  combination  at  various  times,  each  one  adding  his  quota  of  strength 
to  the  organization.  The  recent  deaths  of  old  George  Sneed  and  D.  O.  Wright 
should  be  mentioned,  as  they  belonged  to  the  original  Rivington  Street  daj^s  of 
which  we  write. 

Of  the  three  companies  formed  out  of  the  old  combination,  all  of  them  are 
managed  by  men  who  made  the  original  company  such  a  gigantic  success,  and  if 
competition  is  a  desirable  thing  there  is  no  lack  of  it  under  present  conditions. 

Mr.  Percival  S.  Hill  succeeded  Mr.  Duke  as  President  of  the  present  Amer- 
ican Tobacco  Co.  His  son,  Geo.  W.,  is  now  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents.  Mv.  Hill 
comes  from  Philadelphia,  where  he  had  his  schooling  with  the  old  Bull  Durham 
under  General  Carr.  Mr.  Caleb  C.  Dula,  President  of  the  Liggett  &  ^Myers  Com- 
pany, comes  from  St.  Louis,  where  he  learned  his  trade  first  as  a  practical  grower, 
then  stripper,  then  salesman  and  now  chief  executive  officer  of  the  largest  of  the 
three  units.  His  administration,  so  far,  has  been  very  successful  and  has  fully  met 
all  expectations.  Mr.  Dula  is  rarely  seen  outside  of  his  own  offices,  and  for  a 
man  of  his  financial  prominence  is  seldom  in  the  limelight.  His  sole  recreation  out- 
side of  his  business  is  an  occasional  game  of  golf.  In  company  with  his  neighbor, 
William  B.  Thompson,  he  has  organized  the  Hudson  River  Country  Club  at 
Yonkers,  which  has  one  of  the  finest  golfing  links  in  the  country. 


[69] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Mr.  C.  W.  Toms,  Vice-President  of  Liggett  &  Myers,  is  another  Durham 
boy,  who  joined  the  Duke  factory  as  a  leaf  man  in  the  early  days:  he  is  a  prodi- 
gious worker,  Mr.  E.  II.  Thurston,  the  Secretary,  resident  in  St.  Louis,  is  a  New 
York  boy  and  earned  his  spurs  in  the  tobacco  business  under  Mr.  Dula  in  the 
old  days. 

The  old  firm  of  P.  Lorillard  Co.  has  as  President  another  practical  man,  Mr. 
T.  J.  Maloney,  who  as  a  manufacturer  has  no  superior.  He  was  an  old  Lorillard 
man  raised  to  the  presidency  as  a  result  of  his  knowledge  of  the  manufacture  of 
tobacco.  Mr.  David  II.  Ball,  Vice-President,  is  another  executive  who  came  up 
with  astonishing  rapidity  in  the  old  organization  and  inmiediately  made  good,  while 
13.  L.  iielt,  another  Vice-President,  is  considered  one  of  tlie  ablest  cigarette  men 
the  business  has  ever  produced.  Herbert  H.  Harriss  is  another  active  official  re- 
cently elected,  and  George  W.  Dandy  is  also  well  known.  These  men  are  still 
young  and  have  many  years  in  which  to  excel  if  possible  their  brilliant  past. 

The  early  days  of  the  Sugar  Corporation  formed  also  a  spectacular  chapter  in 
the  history  of  Wall  Street  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  The  gyrations  of  its  stock 
made  and  won  fortunes  in  a  day.  It  also  paid  12  per  cent,  and  yet  rarely  sold 
much  above  par.  It  was  its  period  of  evolution  from  a  wild-cat  security,  as  it  was 
at  first  regarded,  to  an  honored  rank  as  a  steady,  persistent  dividend  payer.  Both 
sugar  and  tobacco  richly  rewarded  those  whose  faith  abided.  The  late  Henry  O. 
Havemeyer  was  the  genius  of  the  sugar  trust  and  was  surrounded  with  a  brilliant 
coterie  of  able  lieutenants,  of  whom  John  E.  Searles  and  John  E.  Parsons  stood 
well  in  the  lead.  It  is  only  within  late  years  that  the  aristocracy  of  the  sugar 
business  has  been  challenged  by  anything  more  important  in  the  way  of  manufac- 
ture. The  Bayards  were  in  it  in  the  early  days  of  Wall  Street;  the  Roosevelts  at 
a  later  date  and  the  Rhinelanders  still  later.  Nor  does  anyone  blame  Sweet  Ade- 
line for  relegating  Jack's  mere  money  to  the  junk  heap  for  a  nice  big  lump  of 
pure  Crystal  Domino. 

The  Havemeyers  were  always  in  sugar.  The  family  name  appears  in  the  early 
directories  of  the  city,  and  an  old  print  in  Valentine's  Manual  shows  the  old  family 
residence  at  57th  Street  between  Eighth  and  Ninth  Avenues.  It  was  undoubtedly 
a  handsome  residence  for  its  day  and  would  be  so  considered  even  now. 

In  Germany  the  history  of  the  Havemeyer  family  can  be  traced  back  more 
than  three  hundred  years.  Wlien  only  fifteen  years  of  age,  William  Havemeyer 
left  his  German  home  and  went  to  London.  There  he  learned  the  art  of  sugar  re- 
fining and  in  1799  he  came  to  the  United  States.  In  less  than  ten  years  he  began 
business  on  his  own  account,  taking  as  a  partner  his  young  brother,  Frederick  C. 
Havemeyer. 

The  two  brothers  were,  respectively,  the  American  ancestors  of  the  two 
branches  of  the  Havemeyer  family  of  New  York.  William  Havemeyer  was  the 
ancestor  of  the  branch  of  the  family  of  which  the  late  Mr.  William  F.  Havemeyer 
was  the  representative.  Frederick  C.  Havemeyer  was  the  ancestor  of  the  branch 
to  which  Henry  O.  Havemeyer,  of  Sugar  Trust  fame,  belongs. 

The  early  days  of  the  sugar  combination  was  not  a  path  of  roses.  Claus  Spreck- 


[70] 


COPYRIGHT    1913     H    C  BROWN 


miaurrtrk's  ISuuftrrful  Uirut  nf  Mall  ^trtvt.  1825 


THIS  REMARKABLE  OLD  LITHOGRAPH  GIVES  AN  EXCELLENT  IDEA 
OF  THE  STREET  BEFORE  THE  GREAT  FIRE  OF  1835  THE  BUILDINGS. 
AS  YOU  SEE.  ARE  OF  A  RATHER  INCONSEQUENTIAL  CHARACTER. 
THE  MERCHANTS'  EXCHANGE  BEING  THE  ONLY  ONE  OF  ARCHITEC- 
TURAL IMPORTANCE  THE  FEATURE  OF  SPECIAL  INTEREST  IN  THIS 
PARTICULAR  PRINT  IS  THE  MARGINS.  EACH  PARTICULAR  BUILDING 
ON  BOTH  SIDES  OF  THE  STREET  IS  CAREFULLY  SHOWN.  AND  AT 
THE  TOP  IS  A  DISTANT  VIEW  OF  BROOKLYN  HEIGHTS.  ONLY  THREE 
COPIES  OF  THIS  LITHOGRAPH  ARE  KNOWN  IN  THIS  STATE  THERE 
ARE  LATER  IMPRESSIONS.  HOWEVER.  BUT  NONE  SHOW  THE  BORDER 
WITH   THE  BUILDINGS 

ADJOINING  THE  EXCHANGE  WAS  THE  ORIGINAL  JEWELRY  STORE 
OF  BENEDICT  BROS,  JOHN  J  ASTOR  ADVISED  THE  ELDER  BENE- 
DICT TO  PURCHASE  THIS  SITE.  WHICH  HE  DID.  AND  AFTERWARDS 
RESOLD  IT  AT  GREAT  PROFIT  THE  BENEDICT  BROS  HAVE  DONE 
BUSINESS  FOR  NEARLY  A  CENTURY.  FIRST  IN  WALL  STREET  AND 
LATER   IN    BROADWAY.   BELOW  FULTON 

FROM  1IIC  COILLCIION  OF  MR  ROFIERT  GOILCI 


Wai.l  Street  in  History 


els  of  San  Francisco,  a  fighting  "Forty-niner,"  backed  with  milHons,  essayed  to 
break  the  monopoly  in  the  East.  Then  John  Arbuckle  and  his  able  associate, 
James  Jarvie,  took  a  hand  in.  One  of  the  retaliatory  measures  adopted  by  the 
sugar  people  was  the  purchase  of  the  Woolworth  Spice  Co.,  makers  of  Lion  Cof- 
fee and  a  strong  competitor  of  Arbuckle's  "Arioso."  Them  were  the  days  I  Suits 
of  all  sorts  were  inaugurated  by  both  sides  and  the  courts  were  appealed  to  for 
restraining  orders  of  one  kind  or  another  continually.  The  aid  of  the  Federal 
Government  was  also  invoked,  and  all  kinds  of  motions  were  begun  to  annul  the 
Sugar  Trust's  charter.  The  papers  were  filled  with  the  proceedings  from  day 
to  day,  but  the  curious  part  is  that  the  whole  trouble  seems  to  have  been  adjusted 
and  nobody  now  recalls  just  how  the  settlement  was  made.  Arbuckle  is  still 
doing  business  at  the  old  stand  and  Arioso  is  going  strong.  The  sugar  people  seem 
to  be  earning  dividends  all  right,  and  Lion  Coffee  is  still  with  them.  Even  Spreckels 
has  subsided  and  the  old-time  acrimony  seems  to  have  completely  disappeared. 
About  the  only  people  who  permanently  suffered  apparently  are  those  who 
dropped  their  stock  during  the  scare  caused  by  hostilities.  It  was  a  genuine  scrap 
while  it  lasted  and  will  long  be  remembered  in  the  annals  of  the  Street. 

That  Henry  O.  Havemeyer  stood  high  in  the  affections  of  those  who  knew 
him  best  is  amply  demonstrated  by  the  bronze  memorial  tablet  which  marks  the 
entrance  to  his  old  offices  in  Wall  Street  and  which  bears  the  simple  inscription 
that  it  was  "Erected  to  his  memory  by  thirty  of  his  associates." 

The  Cordage  Trust  was  another  picturesque  incident  in  the  same  period.  The 
slump  in  this  stock  according  to  the  papers  caused  great  havoc  among  the  younger 
society  set  and  the  cartoonists  drew  amusing  pictures  of  mamma's  pet  looking  for 
his  lost  cash  and  exclaiming  "Oh I  di  mi."  Exactly  why  this  should  have  been 
treated  as  a  society  function  I  do  not  now  recall,  except  that  the  stockholders 
were  leaders  in  the  hunt  set  and  their  friends  were  largely  let  in  on  the  ground 
floor.    Some  of  them,  later  on,  went  through  the  roof. 

Old  maps  of  New  York  still  show  a  shaded  section  covering  the  block  on 
Broadway  where  the  Woolworth  Building  now  stands  which  was  occupied  as  a 
ropewalk.  It  is  the  first  recorded  instance  of  this  business  in  New  York  and  is  con- 
stantly referred  to  by  old  chroniclers  of  the  city.  The  fact  that  it  was  of  suffi- 
cient importance  to  appear  on  a  map  indicates  that  the  business  even  then  had  at- 
tained some  importance.  And  although  it  is  a  far  cry  to  the  SM^eet-scented  crowd 
that  floated  the  Cordage  Trust,  it  is  not  without  its  significance.  The  Waterburys 
were  connected  with  this  industry  from  its  earliest  days  in  one  way  or  another  and 
probably  some  ancestor  had  something  to  do  with  the  fii'st  ropewalk  in  America 
established  on  Broadway. 

Diamond  Match,  Leather,  Can,  Biscuit,  Steel  and  Wire,  and  others  also  con- 
tributed in  their  modest  way  to  the  lively  doings  of  the  day  in  Wall  Street  at 
this  period.  All  these  new  flotations  were  yet  in  an  embryo  stage,  but  a  brilliant 
coterie  of  Western  manipulators,  including  the  Moore  Bros.,  John  W.  Gates, 
Daniel  G.  Reid,  Elwood  and  others  managed  to  tlirow  a  shock  into  the  street  from 
time  to  time.   They  had  acquired  enormous  fortunes  in  forming  these  combinations 


[73] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


and  the  new  "game"  appealed  to  them.  Conservative  Wall  Street  was  greatly 
shocked  at  some  of  their  operations,  but  it  was  an  era  of  epoch-making  specula- 
tion and  much  that  was  open  to  criticism  got  by  in  the  general  frenzy. 

John  W.  Gates  was  certainly  a  remarkable  character,  the  like  of  whom  ap- 
pears only  once  in  a  lifetime.  No  matter  what  might  be  said  of  him  in  some  re- 
spects, he  bore  an  unsullied  personal  reputation.  To  his  family  and  his  less  for- 
tunate relations  he  was  kindness  itself.  His  son  "Charlie,"  who  was  the  apple  of  his 
eye,  did  not  long  survive  him.  The  Gates  fortune  totalled  up  something  hke  thirty 
millions,  mostly  acquired  in  the  last  few  years  of  his  life. 

Daniel  G.  Reid,  another  Westerner,  made  his  debut  in  New  York  at  about 
this  time.  He  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  in  the  tin-plate  industry  which  de- 
veloped rapidly  as  a  result  of  the  McKinley  Bill.  Mr.  Reid's  early  life  gave  prom- 
ise of  his  subsequent  career.  He  entered  the  tin-plate  business  at  a  time  when  it 
was  the  rankest  kind  of  a  speculation,  and  his  first  venture  was  far  from  a  success. 
Free-trade  papers  were  loud  in  their  denunciations  of  American-made  tin  and 
openly  charged  that  it  was  nothing  but  the  Welsh  article  dipped  in  a  coating  of 
tin.  In  the  face  of  such  hostile  criticism  it  was  hard  to  induce  capital  to  enter  this 
new  industry,  but  Mr.  Reid  persevered  and  finally  succeeded.  His  later  activities 
have  been  more  in  the  line  of  railroads. 

This  period  is  also  noteworthy  for  the  resumption  of  dividends  by  the  great 
Union  Pacific  System.  For  years  this  stock  was  considered  worse  than  useless 
and  could  be  bought  for  a  song.  The  most  astonishing  thing  in  the  whole  history  of 
railroads  was  undoubtedly  the  rejuvenation  of  this  valuable  property  under  the  man- 
agement of  E.  H.  Harriman  in  conjunction  with  Kuhn,  Loeb  &  Co.  Early  in  the 
90's  rumors  of  its  progress  were  heard,  and  its  steady  and  sensational  rise  is  still 
remembered.  When  it  was  finally  placed  on  a  regular  10  per  cent,  dividend  basis 
the  financial  world  paid  homage  to  Harriman  the  Wizard,  to  Jacob  Schiff,  Paul 
Warburg,  Otto  H.  Kahn,  and  the  other  members  of  this  banking  firm  who  had 
made  the  transformation  possible.  The  subsequent  struggle  between  Harriman, 
Morgan,  Hill  and  Schiff  for  domination  in  the  Northern  Pacific  is  too  fresh  in 
the  reader's  mind  for  repetition  here.  Most  of  the  actors  have  disappeared,  but  the 
memory  of  that  awful  day  when  Northern  Pacific  touched  $1,000  will  not  be  soon 
forgotten. 

WALL  STREET  OF  TO-DAY 

History  has  been  made  in  Wall  Street,  as  we  have  just  seen,  but  greater  his- 
tory is  being  made  there  now.  Banks  which  financed  the  American  Revolution,  the 
War  of  1812  and  the  fight  for  the  Union  stand  side  by  side  with  banks  which  have 
furnished  the  sinews  to  the  belligerents  in  the  greatest  of  all  wars  and  which  will 
supply  the  capital  to  rebuild  the  Europe  they  are  destroying.  To  Wall  Street  the 
nations  come  for  the  gold  to  keep  their  armies  in  the  field  and  from  Wall  Street 
after  the  war  will  flow  the  yellow  blood  to  refill  the  exhausted  veins  of  world  com- 
merce.   Wall  Street  has  become  International. 

The  surest  way  to  appreciate  this  momentous  change  is  to  walk  from  Broad- 


[74] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.    H    C.  BROWN 


A  VERY  RARE  AND  INTERESTING  PICTURE  OF  THE  GREAT  FIRE  OF 
1835,  IN  WHICH  THE  MAIN  BUSINESS  PORTION  OF  THE  CITY  EAST 
OF  BROADWAY  AND  SOUTH  OF  WALL  STREET  WAS  PRACTICALLY 
DESTROYED  WITH  THE  LOSS  OF  OVER  THIRTY  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLARS. 
IN  LESS  THAN  A  YEAR.  HOWEVER,  THE  BURNT  DISTRICT  WAS  EN- 
TIRELY REBUILT  THE  FIGURES  IN  THE  FOREGROUND  WERE  OF 
THEN  EMINENT  MERCHANTS  OF  THE  DAY  AND  WERE  GOOD  LIKE- 
NESSES. THEY  WERE  AMONG  THE  VOLUNTEER  FIREMEN  WHO 
HELPED  TO  SAVE  THE  CITY     THE  NAMES  ARE  AS  FOLLOWS 

1—  CHESTER  HUNTINGDON  POLICE  OFFICER 

2—  JOHN  JACOB  SCHOONMAKER  -    KEEPER  OF  THE  BATTERY 

3—  NATHANIEL  FINCH  MEMBER  OF  FIRE  CO    No  9 

4—  MATTHEW  BIRD     -       -       -       -      MEMBER  OF  FIRE  CO    No  13 

5—  JAMES  S.  LEGGETT       •        ASST  FOREMAN  OF  FIRE  CO  No  13 

6  — ZOPHAR  MILLS  FOREMAN  OF  ENGINE  OF  FIRE  CO    No  13 

7  — WM  H  BOGARDUS  ....  COUNSELLOR  AT  LAW 
e-COL  JAMES  WATSON  WEBB  -  E  DITOR  OF  C  0  U  Rl  E  R  8  E  N  Q  U  I R  E  R 
9  — A   M    C   SMITH        .        -        .               ...    POLICE  OFFICER 

10-  JAMES  GULICK  CHIEF  ENGINEER 

11-  JOHN  HILLYER  S  H  E  R I  F  F  OF  C  IT  Y  ft  CO  U  N  TY  OF  N  Y 

12-  0LIVER  M   LOWNDES  POLICE  JUSTICE 

13-  CHAS   KING  E  DITOR  OF  TH  E  A  M  E  RIG  AN 

14  — HON   C   W   LAWRENCE         ....     M  A  Y  O  R  OF  T  M  E  C  ITY 

15-  JAMES  M    LOWNDES  UNUhH  blllHII-F 

16-  JOSLI'H   HOHbON   I'OLILt  JIISIK  E 

17  — EDWAKU  WINUUST  OF     SMAKISIMAIt  INN      I'AKK  HOW 

18-  THOMAS  DOWNING  OF  No-..  3.  5  ft  7  BROAjD  STREET 

19-  JACOB  HAYS  HIGH  CONSTABLE 

20-  H  W  MERRITT   POLICE  OFFICER 

21-  PETER  MtlNTYRE     -    PROP.  MONTGOM  E RY  HOTEL.  BARCLAY  ST 


THE  GENTLLEMAN  RUNNING  UP  THE  STEPS  IS  MR  PATTERSON.  OF 
PATTERSON  &  GUSTIN.  WHO  WISHED  IF  POSSIBLE.  TO  SAVE  THE 
STATUE  OF  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON.  WHICH  WAS  DESTROYED  A  FEW 
MINUTES  Al-  TEHWARDS 

MR  CHAS  KING  (PIUS  c;OLUMUIA)  IS  THE  CKNULMAN  WHO 
CROSSED  THE  EAST  RIVER  THAT  AWhUL  NIGHT  IN  AN  OPEN  BOAT 
TO  THE  NAVY  YARD  TO  PROCURE  GUNPOWDER.  IN  WHICH  HE  WAS 
SUCCESSFUL. 

FROM    THE    COILECTION    OF    MR.   ROOEHT  GOtLET. 


Wall  Street  in  History 


way  to  the  river  and  study  the  signs  of  the  times  on  the  way.  Banking  houses  with 
good  old  American  names  hke  Halsey,  HolHster  and  Rhoades  alternate  with  repre- 
sentatives of  the  great  banks  of  London,  Berlin,  Paris  and  other  cities,  making  as 
startling  a  contrast  between  the  ancient  and  the  modern  as  the  thirty  stories  of  the 
Bankers'  Trust  Company  and  the  Doric  Sub-Treasury  it  overshadows.  A  trust 
company  so  old-fashioned  that  until  recently  it  refused  to  use  the  typewriter  and  the 
telephone  faces  a  bank  whose  skirmishers  are  scouring  the  globe  for  new  methods 
and  new  opportunities.  The  oldest  savings  bank  in  the  city,  whose  building  is  al- 
most coeval  with  itself,  stands  but  a  few  doors  from  a  heaven-touching  skyscraper 
on  whose  door  one  sees  Chinese  characters  indicating  that  it  contains  the  offices  of 
Celestial  bankers.  "East  is  east  and  west  is  west,  and  never  the  twain  shall  meet" 
may  be  true  in  poetry,  but  it  is  not  true  in  Wall  Street.  There  the  agents  of  the 
great  banks  of  North  and  South  America,  Europe,  Asia  and  Africa  meet  so  closely 
that  they  might  almost  transact  business  with  each  other  by  word  of  mouth  from 
doorstep  to  doorstep. 

At  Number  1  Wall  Street  the  Bank  of  Cuba,  facing  the  ancient  cemetery  in 
which  Wall  Street's  founders  sleep  in  peace,  overlooks  the  modest  building  of  the 
First  National  Bank,  that  institution  of  fabulous  dividends  whose  chairman,  George 
F.  Baker,  was  called  by  the  late  Mr.  Morgan,  on  the  witness  stand,  "after  myself  the 
most  influential  financier  in  America."  Two  hundred  millions  of  deposits  in  the 
First  National  represent  the  balances  of  countless  corporations  in  many  of  which 
Mr.  Baker  and  his  son,  George  F.  Baker,  Jr.,  president  of  the  First  National,  are 
directors. 

In  the  Schermerhorn  Building  next  door  to  the  First  National  IMr.  Robert 
E.  Saunders,  agent  of  the  National  Bank  of  South  Africa,  looks  after  the  inter- 
ests of  an  institution  with  a  half -billion  of  deposits  and  branches  in  every  important 
city  in  the  world.  This  and  the  adjoining  building  (the  "Astor")  extend  through 
to  Pine  Street,  and  their  corridors  form  a  part  of  the  rainy-day  route  through  the 
downtown  section  by  means  of  which  it  is  possible  to  go  from  Liberty  Street  and 
Broadway  to  William  and  Beaver  Streets  almost  under  cover  all  the  way  except 
in  crossing  a  street.  At  the  Pine  Street  entrance  of  the  Astor  Building  is  the 
office  of  Mr.  Jolm  N.  Golding,  who  has  a  very  large  and  valuable  collection  of 
old  New  York  prints,  completely  covering  the  walls,  and  which  are  well  worth 
visiting.  ISlr.  Golding  is  ahvays  delighted  to  have  one  do  so  and  can  tell  more 
interesting  things  about  the  changes  in  this  district  than  anyone  else.  At  the  Wall 
Street  entrance  of  the  Astor  Building  are  the  offices  of  John  H.  Davis  &  Com- 
pany, the  senior  partner  of  which,  John  H.  Davis,  is  one  of  the  veteran  members 
of  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange,  having  been  admitted  in  1873. 

No.  14  Wall  Street,  the  Bankers'  Trust  Company  Building,  is  a  hive  of  finan- 
cial houses  both  foreign  and  domestic.  William  P.  Bonbright  and  Kissel,  Kinnicutt 
&  Company,  Bernard  Scholle  &  Company,  are  in  this  building,  and  so  are  White 
&  Case,  counsel  to  many  reorganization  committees.  Mr.  George  B.  Case  was  one 
of  the  three  voting  trustees  of  the  Bankers'  Trust  Company  until  the  voting 
Trust  was  dissolved. 


[77] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


At  number  9,  in  the  old  Mortimer  Building,  Zimmermann  &  Forshay,  official 
bankers  to  the  German  Government,  sell  Imperial  German  bonds  and  in  normal 
times  do  a  vast  business  in  bills  of  exchange  on  Germany.  Separated  from  them 
only  by  the  Wall  Street  entrance  of  the  Stock  Exchange  are  Kidder,  Peabody  & 
Company,  American  correspondents  of  the  great  English  banking  house  of  Baring 
Brothers,  and  across  Broad  Street  at  23  Wall  Street  is  the  very  temple  of  interna- 
tional finance,  the  new  marble  palace  of  J.  P.  JMorgan  &  Company.  As  the  pyra- 
mids looked  down  upon  the  armies  of  Napoleon  I  the  Egj^ptian  pinnacle  of  the 
Bankers'  Trust  looks  down  upon  the  throne  of  the  Napoleon  of  finance,  while  from 
his  pedestal  on  the  steps  of  the  Sub-Treasury  a  bronze  George  Washington  watches 
the  millions  flowing  from  Morgan's  doors  to  aid  the  England  which  the  living 
George  opposed,  for  eight  long,  weary  years  during  the  struggle  for  American 
freedom. 

Under  the  elder  Morgan,  railroads  and  trusts  were  organized  and  reorganized 
at  23  Wall  Street  until  no  other  site  but  that  of  the  Bank  of  England  had  a  wider 
renown.  Gone  is  the  old  Drexel  Building  from  which  he  ruled  financial  America, 
and  in  its  place  stands  a  vast  and  solid  marble  edifice,  a  silent  witness  that  the  Mor- 
gan power  endureth  from  generation  to  generation.  Where  the  elder  Morgan 
raised  millions  for  American  railroads  and  industrial  corporations  the  son  raises 
billions  for  the  governments  of  England,  France  and  Russia.  The  successful  capi- 
talization of  the  billion-dollar  United  States  Steel  Corporation  was  the  crowning 
achievement  of  the  father's  life.  In  one  year  a  billion  dollars  has  been  loaned  to 
foreign  governments  through  the  present  firm  of  Morgan,  whose  ten  partners,  J.  P. 
Morgan,  Edward  T.  Stotesbury,  Charles  Steele,  Henry  P.  Davison,  Arthur  E. 
Newbold,  William  P.  Hamilton,  William  H.  Porter,  Thomas  W.  Lamont,  Ho- 
ratio G.  Lloyd  and  Dwight  W.  Morrow,  constitute  probably  the  strongest  and  most 
progressive  group  of  financiers  in  the  United  States. 

All  young  men,  with  the  exception  of  ]Mr.  Stotesbury,  who  is  the  head  of 
Drexel,  Morgan  &  Company  of  Philadelphia,  and  Mr.  Steele,  the  Morgan  firm  is 
living  evidence  of  the  late  Mr.  Morgan's  ability  to  choose  men.  William  H.  Por- 
ter won  his  place  in  the  firm  by  his  success  as  president  of  the  Chemical  National 
Bank,  Henry  P.  Davison  and  Thomas  W.  Lamont  theirs  by  building  up  the  Bank- 
ers' Trust  Co.  between  1903  and  1909  into  the  second  largest  trust  company  in  the 
United  States,  with  deposits  now  exceeding  $250,000,000.  The  rise  of  Mr.  Davi- 
son and  Mr.  Lamont  is  particularly  interesting,  proof  that  merit  without  financial 
backing  has  not  yet  lost  its  opportunity  in  Wall  Street.  Both  originally  country 
boys,  Mr.  Davison  coming  from  Troy,  Pa.,  and  Mr.  Lamont  from  Claverack, 
N.  Y.,  they  have  climbed  by  their  own  efforts  into  the  seats  of  the  mighty. 

The  old  Assay  Office,  across  Wall  Street  from  Morgan's  and  next  door  to  the 
Sub-Treasury,  has  been  torn  down  to  make  room  for  a  modern  laboratory  in  which 
Wall  Street's  gold  is  tested  and  smelted  into  bars  and  its  beautiful  fa9ade  has  been 
removed  to  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  leaving  the  Sub-Treasury  the  sole 
unchanged  relic  of  the  classic  age  in  Wall  Street. 

Just  beyond  the  Assay  Office  the  Hong  Kong  &  Shanghai  Banking  Corpora- 


[78] 


OPYRIGHT.  1913.    H.  C.  BROWN 


Wall  »tteet  Abuut  1B45 


HERE  WE  HAVE  AN  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  WALL  STREET  AT  AN 
IMPORTANT  TRANSITION  STAGE  AFTER  THE  GREAT  FIRE  OF  1835, 
THIS  STREET  WAS  REBUILT  IN  A  MUCH  MORE  SUBSTANTIAL  MANNER 
—  THE  BUILDINGS  HAVIN(.  A  MORE  OR  LLSS  ARCHITECTURAL  MERIT 
AND  IN  KEEPING  WITH  THE  GROWING  IMPORTANCE  OF  THE  STREET 
AS  A  BUSINESS  CENTRE.  THE  SOUTH  SIDE  STILL  SHOWS  AN  ALMOST 
UNBROKEN  ROW  OF  PRIVATE  DWELLINGS.  AND  A  TREE  STILL 
ADORNS  THE  SIDEWALK  WHERE  NOW  STANDS  THE  BANKERS' TRUST 
COMPANY. 

r  ItOM   THE   COLLECTION   or   Mil.  N.  F.  PALMEn, 


Wall  Steeet  in  History 


tion  shares  a  building  with  Adrian  Isehn  &  Company  and  James  B.  Colgate  & 
Company,  worthy  representatives  of  the  old  blue-blooded  financial  aristocracy. 
Post  &  Flagg,  at  36,  is  another  pure  American  firm  of  long  lineage.  Across  the 
street  at  35,  Mitchell,  Kennedy  &  Company  of  London  and  New  York  deal  in 
domestic  and  international  investment  securities  and  in  foreign  exchange. 

At  37-43  Alvin  W.  Krech,  president  of  the  Equitable  Trust  Company,  which 
absorbed  the  Trust  Company  of  America,  looks  after  $150,000,000  of  depositors' 
money  and  reorganizes  railroads  in  rivalry  with  James  N.  Wallace,  president  of 
the  $150,000,000  Central  Trust  Company  at  54.  And  at  37,  also,  John  Harsen 
Rhoades,  son  of  the  famous  president  of  the  Greenwich  Savings  Banks,  buys 
bonds  for  that  and  other  savings  banks  and  works  out  plans  for  banking  reform. 
William  T.  Jerome,  the  eminent  public  prosecutor  and  now  a  corporation  lawyer, 
is  in  this  building  too. 

At  45  The  United  States  Trust  Company,  E.  W.  Sheldon  president,  shows 
deposits  of  $63,000,000,  and  next  door  the  Metropolitan  Trust  Company,  of  which 
George  C.  Van  Tuyl,  former  state  banking  commissioner,  is  president,  has  deposits 
of  $72,000,000.  At  49  Wall,  N.  W.  Halsey  &  Company  and  Clark,  Dodge  &  Com- 
pany, typical  bond  houses  of  the  old  school  though  as  alert  and  active  as  their 
youngest  competitors,  finance  public  utility  and  other  big  enterprises  and  do  a  tre- 
mendous business  in  railroad,  municipal  and  other  corporation  bonds,  while  Hei- 
delbach,  Ickelheimer  &  Company  represent  international  finance  at  the  same 
address.  William  Nelson  Cromwell,  one  of  the  leading  corporation  counsel  in  the 
country  and  the  man  who  negotiated  the  transfer  of  the  Panama  Canal  from 
France  to  the  United  States,  has  his  offices  at  49  Wall  Street. 

From  40  to  48  Wall  Street  historic  associations  and  financial  strength  combine 
to  make  these  few  feet  of  ground  as  notable  as  any  equal  space  in  the  country. 
Here  four  of  the  seven  century-old  banks  of  the  city  stand  in  a  row,  facing  the  fifth, 
while  the  sixth  has  but  recently  left  this  neighborhood.  The  Bank  of  New  York, 
N.  B.  A.,  founded  in  1784  by  Alexander  Hamilton,  has  occupied  the  site  at  48 
since  1797.  The  Bank  of  the  Manhattan  Company  at  40,  founded  in  1799  by 
Aaron  Burr,  Hamilton's  arch  enemy  and  lifelong  rival,  the  Merchants'  National 
Bank  at  42,  founded  in  1803  by  Oliver  Wolcott,  and  the  Bank  of  America  at  44-46, 
organized  in  1812,  complete  the  quartette  of  New  York's  oldest  banks.  The  Me- 
chanics &  Metals  National  Bank,  resulting  from  a  merger  of  the  Mechanics  Bank, 
founded  in  1812,  and  the  National  Copper  Bank,  stood  next  door  to  the  bank  of  New 
York  until  1915,  but  on  acquiring  control  of  the  Fourth  National  in  that  year 
moved  into  the  Fourth  National's  quarters  at  20  Nassau.  The  National  City  Bank, 
directly  opposite  the  former  home  of  the  Mechanics  and  Metals,  was  founded  in 
1812.  The  seventh  centurian  bank,  the  Chatham  &  Phenix,  has  not  been  in  Wall 
Street  within  modern  times. 

The  present  presidents  of  the  seven  hundred-year-old  banks  are:  Bank  of  New 
York,  Herbert  W.  Griggs;  Bank  of  the  Manhattan  Company,  Stephen  Baker; 
Merchants'  National,  Samuel  Galloway;  Mechanics  and  Metals,  Gates  W.  Mc- 


[81] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Garrah ;  National  City,  Frank  A.  Vanderlip ;  Chatham  &  Phenix,  Louis  G.  Kauff- 
man. 

The  National  City  Bank  at  55  Wall  Street,  with  over  $400,000,000  of  demand 
deposits,  $25,000,000  capital  and  $37,000,000  surplus,  is  unquestionably  America's 
premier  banking  institution.  Organized  just  four  days  after  the  declaration  of 
war  against  England  in  1812,  one  of  its  first  acts  was  to  loan  the  United  States 
government  $500,000,  and  its  associations  with  the  United  States  Govermnent  have 
always  been  intimate.  Its  present  home  was  formerly  the  United  States  Custom 
House  in  New  York,  one  of  the  city's  most  imposing  buildings.  For  the  first 
half-century  of  the  City  Bank's  existence  its  growth  was  slow  but  steady,  and  suc- 
ceeding presidents  and  directors  continued  to  develop  the  bank's  fundamental  pol- 
icy, the  building  up  of  an  impregnable  cash  reserve.  In  the  panics  of  1813-17, 
1837  and  1857  this  policy  caused  the  City  Bank  to  stand  like  a  rock  while  other 
banks  were  toppling. 

With  the  advent  of  Moses  Taylor  the  bank's  period  of  rapid  progress  began. 
Under  this  prince  of  merchants  the  City  Bank  became  one  of  New  York's  leading 
institutions  and  plaj^ed  a  great  part  in  the  expansion  of  the  city's  commercial  life. 
On  his  death  JNIr.  Taylor  was  succeeded  by  his  son-in-law,  Percy  R.  Pyne,  who  was 
president  of  the  bank  for  nine  years.  Then  came  James  Stillman.  The  election 
of  Mr.  Stillman  meant  not  only  the  acquisition  of  banking  genius  but  of  the  tre- 
mendously valuable  business  of  the  Standard  Oil  Company.  When  Mr.  Stillman 
took  the  presidency  in  1891  the  City  Bank's  deposits  Avere  $12,000,000.  In  1892 
they  were  $16,000,000,  and  after  the  panic  of  1893  $31,000,000.  In  1891  several 
New  York  banks  had  double  the  deposits  of  the  National  City.  Two  years  later 
it  was  the  largest  bank  in  New  York  and  the  greatest  reservoir  of  cash  in  Amer- 
ica. In  1897  the  City  Bank  was  further  strengthened  by  the  business  of  the  Union 
Pacific  Railroad  Company,  and  its  deposits  increased  to  $97,000,000.  In  1900  the 
capital  was  increased  from  $5,000,000  to  $10,000,00  and  in  1902  to  $25,000,000. 

In  1909  Mr.  James  Stillman  was  made  chairman  of  the  board  of  directors  and 
was  succeeded  as  president  by  Frank  A.  Vanderlip,  who  had  come  to  the  vice- 
presidency  of  the  National  City  from  Washington,  where  he  had  been  assistant 
secretary  of  the  Treasury.  Born  on  a  farm,  working  as  a  boy  in  a  machine  shop 
for  $3.00  a  week,  Mr.  Vanderlip  graduated  from  journalism  into  finance,  and  now 
is  recognized  as  the  leader  of  American  banking  interests.  Under  his  active  di- 
rection the  National  City  Bank  has  expanded  not  only  through  the  United  States, 
where  it  has  over  two  thousand  correspondents,  but  into  South  America  and  Eu- 
rope and  even  into  the  Far  East.  It  now  has  branches  in  Havana,  Cuba ;  Buenos 
Aires,  Argentina;  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  Santos,  Brazil,  and,  through  the  Interna- 
tional Banking  Corporation,  in  China  and  Japan.  It  has  been  a  principal  in  the 
big  foreign  govermnent  loans  of  1915-1916,  forming  with  the  Guaranty  Trust 
Company  and  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Company  the  Anglo-French  syndicate,  and  with 
the  same  interests  and  others  the  American  Foreign  Securities  Corporation,  the 
Russian  Dollar  Loan,  the  British  Collateral  Loan  and  other  sjmdicates. 

But  of  more  moment  than  these  corporations  has  been  the  formation  of  the 


[82] 


Mall  S>tteH  (Norllj  g'tbr) :  ISfi? 


SHOWING  THE  CENTURY  OLD  BANKS  THE  MANHATTAN  CO.  MER- 
CHANTS  NATIONAL,  BANK  OF  NEW  YORK  AND  BANK  OF  AMERICA 


Wall  Street  in  History 


American  International  Corporation  for  the  purpose  of  developing  and  financing 
international  trade.  Of  this  corporation  Mr.  Vanderlip  is  chairman  and  the 
stockholders  of  the  National  City  Bank  hold  half  of  the  $50,000,000  capital  stock, 
the  other  $25,000,000  having  been  allotted  to  large  commercial  interests  repre- 
sented in  the  directorate.  The  charter  of  the  American  International  Corporation 
gives  it  powers  to  cover  a  very  wide  field,  and  the  purchase  of  a  half-interest  in  the 
Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Line  is  evidence  of  its  determination  to  make  the  best  use 
of  its  powers. 

The  president  of  the  American  International  Corporation  is  Galen  L.  Stone, 
head  of  the  Boston  house  of  Stone  &  Webster,  the  largest  developers  of  public  util- 
ity properties  in  the  country,  with  interests  in  every  State  and  in  Canada.  Willard 
D.  Straight,  vice-president,  is  one  of  the  younger  "giants"  of  Wall  Street.  The 
son  of  an  American  missionary  in  China,  after  graduating  from  Cornell  in  1901 
he  went  into  the  Chinese  Imperial  Customs  Service,  and  his  experience  there  and 
later  as  American  consul-general  at  Mukden  made  him  invaluable  to  J.  P.  Morgan 
&  Company  when  the  "Six  Power"  loan  was  first  contemplated.  His  work  in 
China  for  the  Morgans  won  him  a  responsible  place  in  the  home  office,  and  his  mar- 
riage with  Dorothy  Whitney,  daughter  and  co-heiress  of  the  late  William  C.  Whit- 
ney, brought  him  into  yet  closer  association  with  the  rulers  of  the  financial  world. 
He  had  just  left  the  Morgan  house  for  the  purpose,  it  was  stated,  of  studying  in- 
ternational law  when  the  International  Corporation  was  formed  and  he  was  chosen 
vice-president. 

The  association  of  W.  R.  Grace  &  Company  with  the  American  Interna- 
tional Corporation  in  the  purchase  of  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Company  brings 
that  ancient  and  honorable  firm  into  the  scope  of  this  chapter,  though  their  build- 
ing is  not  in  Wall  Street,  but  in  Hanover  Square,  a  short  distance  south  of  the 
National  City  Bank.  W.  R.  Grace  &  Company  have  for  many  years  been 
heavily  interested  in  shipping,  especially  to  South  America,  and  the  great  war  in 
Europe  gave  them  opportunity  for  expansion  which  they  were  not  slow  to  embrace. 
They  own  a  half -interest  in  the  Pacific  Mail. 

At  20  Exchange  Place  is  another  important  concern  engaged  in  international 
trade  since  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  This  is  the  Mercantile  Bank  of  the  Americas, 
which  is  backed  by  the  Seligmans  and  Brown  Brothers  &  Company. 

Recrossing  Wall  Street  from  the  National  City  Bank  one  passes  at  52  the  old- 
time  Colonial  building  of  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  &  Trust  Company,  a 
healthy  survivor  of  the  days  when  the  granting  of  annuities  was  a  popular  practice. 
Having  ceased  to  be  an  insurance  company  in  anything  but  name  it  does  a  very  large 
trust  business  for  the  Knickerbocker  aristocracy  whose  Avealth  is  not  less  real  be- 
cause it  is  hidden  under  a  bushel.  The  deposits  of  the  New  York  Life  &  Trust 
exceed  $70,000,000.    Walter  Kerr  is  the  president. 

At  CO  Wall  Street,  in  sharp  contrast  to  the  little  white  marble  home  of  the 
New  York  Life  &  Trust,  rises  the  thirty-story  structure  in  which  Henry  L.  Do- 
herty  makes  his  headquarters.  "Sixty  Wall,"  the  common  appellation  of  this 
building,  connotes  enterprise,  daring  and  success,  for  Henry  L.  Dolierty's  career 


[85] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


is  bound  up  with  the  American  public  utility  movement.  He  has  developed  more 
public  utility  companies  than  any  one  man  and  his  Cities  Service  Company  is  the 
holding  company  for  water,  gas,  electric  light,  street  railway,  power,  and  pipe  line 
companies  in  all  parts  of  the  Union,  with  combined  assets  of  over  $200,000,000. 
Mr.  Doherty  is  president  of  some  sixty  public  service  companies  and  a  director  in  as 
many  more. 

This  block  is  the  home  of  the  American  agents  of  most  of  the  big  banks  of 
Canada  and  of  some  other  foreign  banking  institutions.  The  Bank  of  Montreal  has 
its  agency  at  64,  the  Merchants'  Bank  of  Canada  at  65,  the  Bank  of  British  North 
America  at  52,  the  Bank  of  Nova  Scotia  at  48.  On  the  front  of  the  building  at  56 
in  which  the  London  and  Brazilian  Bank  has  its  offices  is  a  curious  tablet  "to  the 
memory  of  Robert  Morris,  A  Canadian,  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States, 
who,  as  first  president  of  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  established  on  this 
spot  the  business  of  modern  life  insurance  on  the  American  Continent,  1843."  The 
International  Banking  Corporation,  owned  by  the  City  Bank  interests,  and  doing 
business  with  the  Far  East,  has  its  headquarters  at  60  Wall  Street ;  the  Yokohama 
Specie  Bank  is  at  55,  in  the  City  Bank  Building. 

At  76  Wall  Street  is  the  Seamen's  Bank  for  Savings,  the  oldest  savings  bank 
in  the  city,  and  one  of  the  largest.  Few  seamen  now  get  as  far  away  from  the 
water  as  76  Wall  Street,  but  the  deposits  of  the  Seamen's  Bank  exceed  $80,000,- 
000.    Daniel  Barnes  is  president  of  this  bank,  which  was  founded  in  1829. 

At  59,  on  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Hanover  Streets,  the  unpretentious  building 
of  Brown  Brothers  &  Company  houses  the  oldest  private  banking  firm  in  the 
United  States.  Brown  Brothers  avoid  the  limelight  like  the  plague,  but  in  no  part 
of  the  world  are  the  names  of  Brown  Brothers  &  Company  of  New  York,  Phila- 
delphia and  Boston,  Brown,  Shipley  &  Company  of  London,  and  Alexander  Brown 
&  Sons  of  Baltimore  unknown.  This  house  was  founded  by  Alexander  Brown,  who 
came  from  Ballymena,  Ireland,  in  1798.  Alexander  Brown  &  Sons  of  Baltimore 
date  from  1800,  Brown  Brothers  of  Philadelphia  from  1818,  Brown  Brothers  of 
New  York  from  1826,  of  Boston  from  1844,  and  Brown,  Shipley  &  Company  of 
London  from  1839.  Through  its  American  and  foreign  branches  this  great  house 
has  been  recognized  for  over  a  century  as  the  synonym  of  all  that  is  most  substan- 
tial and  conservative  in  international  finance.  The  present  members  of  Brown 
Brothers  &  Company  and  of  Brown,  Shipley  &  Company  are  Waldron  Post  Brown, 
Charles  Denston  Dickey,  Eugene  Delano,  James  Brown,  Thatcher  Magoun 
Brown,  and  Moreau  Delano  of  New  York;  George  Harrison  Frazier  and  James 
Crosby  Brown  of  Philadelphia;  Louis  Curtis  of  Boston;  Sir  Alexander  Hargreaves 
Brown,  Edward  Clifton  Brown,  Lawrence  E.  Chalmers,  Montagu  Collet  Norman 
and  J.  Leigh  Wood  of  London.  Alexander  Brown  &  Sons  of  Baltimore  have 
maintained  a  separate  existence  since  1839,  but  are  very  closely  associated  with 
the  other  firms. 

From  Pearl  Street  to  the  East  River,  Wall  Street  retains  its  old-time  charac- 
ter as  an  emporium  of  coffee,  sugar  and  other  commodities  which  come  to  New 
York  by  sea,  the  growth  of  the  financial  district  having  been  north  and  south 


[86] 


3Firat  Offirp  of  tljr  HBfrHtrrn  lluuiu  Srlrgraplj  (So. 

AN  INTERESTING  VIEW.  CORNER  OF  WALL  AND  BROAD  STREETS.  DUR- 
ING "BLACK  FRIDAY."  1873.  THE  BUILDING  ON  THE  RIGHT  IS  THE 
OLD  WILKES  BUILDING.  FIRST  HOME  OF  THE  WESTERN  UNION  COM- 
PANY AFTER  ITS  ORGANIZATION  BY  HIRAM  SIBLEY  AND  ITS  REMOVAL 
FROM  ROCHESTER  IN  I860  FOR  MANY  YEARS  IT  WAS  KNOWN  AS 
"KIERNAN  S  CORNER.  '  AND  HAD  A  LARGE  CLOCK.  IN  THE  SHAPE  OF 
THE  WORLD.  ON  THE  WALL  STREET  SIDE 

FROM    THE    COLLECTION    OF    MR    WILLIAM  BAYLIS. 


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W^LL  Street  in  History 


rather  than  east.  The  main  entrance  of  the  Stock  Exchange,  for  instance,  is  on 
Broad,  not  on  Wall  Street,  the  great  international  banking  house  of  Kuhn,  Loeb 
&  Company  on  William  Street,  the  Farmers'  Loan  &  Trust  with  deposits  of  $158,- 
000,000,  and  the  Corn  Exchange  Bank,  deposits  $100,000,000,  on  South  Wil- 
liam. While  "Wall  Street"  is  strictly  the  name  of  a  narrow  thoroughfare  from 
Broadway  east  to  the  water,  the  term  generically  covers  a  good  part  of  Pine  and 
Cedar  Streets,  of  Exchange  Place,  Broad  and  New  Streets,  and  runs  over  into  Nas- 
sau Street  and  Broadway. 

Kuhn,  Loeb  &  Company,  the  only  real  rivals  of  the  house  of  Morgan,  are  at 
52  William  Street,  adjoining  the  back  of  the  Bank  of  New  York.  Maitland,  Cop- 
pell  &  Company,  names  familiar  to  students  of  the  history  of  Old  New  York,  are 
in  the  same  building.  Across  the  street  are  MuUer,  Schall  &  Company,  a  big  in- 
ternational banking  house.  Jacob  Schiff,  the  head  of  Kuhn,  Loeb  &  Company,  has 
to  a  certain  extent  taken  the  place  of  the  late  J.  P.  Morgan  as  the  "grand  old 
man"  of  Wall  Street,  but  his  activities  have  of  recent  years  been  more  in  the  line 
of  philanthropy  than  in  that  of  strict  business,  though  his  sturdy,  erect  figure  and 
white  whiskers  are  to  be  seen  ahnost  daily  on  Wall  Street.  Otto  Kahn,  too,  has 
been  less  active  in  business  than  in  semi-public  life,  and  Paul  M.  Warburg,  on  the 
formation  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Banking  System,  resigned  from  Kuhn,  Loeb  & 
Company  to  become  a  member  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Board.  The  affairs  of  the 
firm,  which  include  the  reorganization  of  great  railroad  systems  and  of  raising 
money  abroad  for  American  enterprises,  have  been  coming  more  and  more  into  the 
hands  of  the  younger  members,  Mortimer  L.  Schiff  and  Jerome  Hanauer. 

J.  &  W.  Seligman,  international  bankers  of  age  and  repute,  are  at  1  William 
Street.  Knauth,  Nachod  &  Kuhne,  known  the  world  over  as  "K.  N.  &  K.,"  were 
formerly  at  13  South  William  Street,  but  in  1916  moved  into  the  new  Equitable 
Building  at  27  Nassau  Street,  where  Lazard  Freres,  the  French  bankers,  are  also 
located.  Harris,  Forbes  &  Company,  whose  founder,  N.  W.  Harris,  the  "father" 
of  the  retail  bond  business,  died  in  July,  1916,  are  at  the  corner  of  Pine  and  Wil- 
liam Streets.  This  house  stands  at  the  head  of  those  who  combine  the  issuance  of 
securities  with  their  retail  sale.  The  present  head  of  the  firm  is  Allen  B.  Forbes 
and  the  other  members  are  Isaac  Sprague,  Arthur  M.  Harris,  Lloyd  W.  Smith, 
Everett  B.  Sweezy  and  Charles  W.  Beall. 

At  62  Cedar  Street  A.  B.  Leach  &  Company  occupy  the  quarters  formerly 
used  by  the  Federal  Reserve  Bank,  which  is  now  in  the  Equitable  Building,  and 
Harvey  Fisk  &  Sons  occupy  the  rest  of  the  building,  which  they  own.  These  strong 
old  houses,  dealing  in  investment  securities  of  all  classes,  have  lately  been  spe- 
cializing in  government  bonds,  Harvey  Fisk  &  Sons  mainly  in  United  States  issues 
and  A.  B.  Leach  &  Company  in  "foreign  governments."  The  latter  firm,  the  head 
of  which  has  been  president  of  the  Investment  Bankers'  Association  of  America, 
was  largely  instrumental  in  interesting  American  investors  in  the  Russian  Internal 
5I/2  per  cent.  Loan. 

Among  the  important  financial  houses  on  Pine  Street  are  Redmond  &  Com- 
pany, whose  white  marble  edifice  is  directly  across  the  way  from  the  offices  of  Ed- 


[89] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


ward  Sweet  &  Company  and  Chandler  Brothers  &  Company,  who  floated  and  paid 
off  a  big  loan  for  the  German  Government  in  spite  of  the  British  blockade.  Cata- 
cornered  from  the  Redmond  Building  is  a  similar  marble  structure  where  James 
Speyer  &  Company  of  London,  New  York  and  Frankfort  have  financed  the  Rock 
Island  and  other  railroads  for  many  years. 

Coming  from  Pine  into  Nassau  Street  one  sees  first  the  thirty-eight-story 
Equitable  Building,  the  home  of  the  Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society,  of  the  Fed- 
eral Reserve  Bank  of  which  Pierre  Jay,  former  vice-president  of  the  Bank  of  the 
Manhattan  Company,  is  chairman,  and  Benjamin  B.  Strong,  formerly  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  Bankers'  Trust,  is  governor,  of  "K.  N.  &  K.",  Lazard  Freres  and  a 
host  of  other  important  private  banking  institutions.  Next  door,  across  Pine 
Street,  is  the  National  Bank  of  Commerce,  founded  in  1839,  the  second  largest  na- 
tional bank  in  the  United  States,  with  deposits  of  $2.50,000,000.  James  S.  Alex- 
ander is  its  president.  On  the  other  side  of  the  Equitable  Building  is  the  Han- 
over National  Bank,  of  which  William  Woodward,  son  of  the  partner  of  James 
Stillman,  the  "second  father"  of  the  Citj^  Bank,  is  president.  The  Hanover's  de- 
posits are  over  $125,000,000.  And  opposite  the  Equitable,  at  24  Nassau  Street, 
is  the  Mechanics  &  ^Metals  National  Bank,  with  deposits  of  $130,000,000.  The 
Guaranty  Trust  Company,  the  largest  in  the  world,  with  deposits  exceeding  $300,- 
000,000,  used  to  be  at  20  Nassau  Street,  in  the  JNIutual  Life  Building,  but  in  1914 
it  moved  into  its  own  beautiful  home  at  140  Broadway,  and  its  Nassau  Street  quar- 
ters were  taken  by  the  important  municipal  bond  house  of  William  A.  Read  & 
Company.  The  Guaranty  Trust  now  belongs  to  Broadway  geographically,  but  its 
business  interests  are  international  and  under  Charles  H.  Sabin's  direction  it  is  a 
keen  contestant  with  the  American  International  Corporation  for  foreign  trade. 

At  32  Nassau  Street  is  the  United  States  ^Mortgage  &  Trust  Company,  John 
W.  Flatten  president,  with  deposits  of  over  $60,000,000,  and  the  United  States 
Safe  Deposit  Company,  of  which  that  genial  Southern  gentleman,  J.  Lynch  Pren- 
dergast,  is  president. 

The  Liberty  National  Bank,  with  deposits  of  $60,000,000,  is  in  the  Equitable 
Building,  but  on  the  Broadway  side,  which  makes  it  strictly  a  Broadway  bank, 
along  with  the  Chase  National,  deposits  $200,000,000,  the  Chatham  &  Phenix, 
deposits  $70,000,000,  the  American  Exchange  National  Bank  with  deposits 
of  $83,000,000,  and  the  Irving  National,  deposits  $100,000,000.  The  Chase  was 
in  the  Clearing  House  Building  at  77  Cedar  Street  until  1916,  when  it  moved  to 
61  Broadway. 

Walking  back  to  Wall,  one  passes  at  5  Nassau  Street  the  offices  of  Hallgar- 
ten  &  Company,  international  bankers,  and  the  luxurious  quarters  of  the  American 
Bankers'  Association,  where  Colonel  Fred  E.  Farnsworth  looks  out  for  the  interests 
of  7,600  national  banks. 

At  the  Sub-Treasury  Nassau  Street  widens  and  changes  its  name  to  Broad. 
There,  opposite  the  Morgan  Building,  is  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange,  where 
a  million  shares  of  stock  change  hands  sometimes  in  a  single  day,  while  socialists 
and  the  Rev.  William  Wilkinson,  the  "Bishop  of  Wall  Street,"  standing  on  soap 


[90] 


I 


Wall  mvctt  in  1854 


SOME  OF  THE  STOOP  FRONTS.   RELICS  OFITHE  TIME  WHEN  THE 


STILL  REMAIN.  THIS 
EET.  LOOKING  WEST 
CORNER  OF  WILLIAM 


BUILDINGS  WERE  STILL  PRIVATE  RESIDENCE 
SHOWS  THE  NORTH  SIDE  FROM  PEARL  S 
TOWARD  TRINITY  CHURCH.  THE  HOUSEONT 

STREET.  NOW  OCCUPIED  BY  THE  OLDEST  BAlK  IN  THE  CITY  -  THE 
BANK  OF  NEW  YORK  -  WAS  FORMERLY  TH^  RESIDENCE  OF  WIN 
THROP.  THE  BANKER 

FHOM    THE    CnilftTl'iN    <■!    Ml'     I    <-LAI(ENCr.  HAVIf 


1 


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TP.W  am^OOJ  T33f.Ta  JRA33  H0«3  3012  HT^Oll  3HT  aWOHB 
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Tw  3^30.30,23.  3HT  V3«3M«03  -W  -  ..OV  W3.^30^..Aa 


Wall  &tmt  looking  W^st  from  jpparh  about  IBHD 


A  WONDERFUL  VIEW  JUST  BEFORE  THE  WAR  OF  THE  STREET  DURING 
THE  FINAL  TRANSITION  STAGE  FROM  DWELLING  HOUSE  TO  THE 
MODERN  GIGANTIC  BUSINESS  BUILDINGS  OF  TO  DAY  ONLY  ONE  OR 
TWO  BUILDINGS  HAVE  BEEN  LEFT  NOTE  THE  OLD  STOOPS  STILL 
STANDING 


Wall  Street  in  History 


boxes  exhort  the  crowd  outside.  Just  beyond  the  Stock  Exchange  the  international 
banking  house  of  Blair  &  Company  occupies  a  building  scarcely  less  imposing  than 
the  Stock  Exchange  itself.  At  15  Broad  Street,  the  Mills  Building,  for  years  the 
largest  office  building  in  the  world,  houses  a  vast  concourse  of  commission  brokers, 
of  whom  the  veteran  Henry  Clews  is  the  dean.  Stetson,  Jennings  &  Russell,  coun- 
sel to  the  United  States  Steel  Corporation,  are  at  15  Broad  Street,  and  Horn- 
blower,  Potter,  Miller  &  Earl,  reorganization  lawyers,  are  at  24.  At  25  Broad, 
William  Salomon  &  Co.  and  Spencer  Trask  &  Company,  bond  houses,  transact 
business  of  vast  proportions,  both  in  the  issuance  and  sale  of  securities.  And  at  20 
and  30  Broad  Street  international  investment  houses  like  A.  A.  Housman  &  Com- 
pany are  neighbors  of  such  progressive  young  bond  dealers  as  L.  M.  Prince  &  Com- 
,pany. 

At  43  Exchange  Place,  a  building  connected  with  Wall  Street,  as  is  the  Mills 
Building,  by  a  covered  passageway,  the  Boston  bond  house  of  Lee,  Higginson  & 
Company  has  offices  under  the  charge  of  Albert  Sheldon.  In  the  same  building 
E.  H.  Rollins  &  Sons  of  Boston,  New  York  and  San  Francisco  deal  in  investment 
securities. 

Returning  to  Wall  Street  through  the  tunnel  at  43  Exchange  and  walking 
back  to  Brown  Brothers'  corner,  one  enters  the  world  of  commodities  as  distin- 
guished from  securities.  At  the  corner  of  Pearl  and  Wall  Streets,  opposite  the 
Seamen's  Bank,  is  the  building  of  Crossman  &  Sielcken,  "coffee  kings,"  whose  ac- 
tive partner,  Herman  Sielcken,  lives  some  of  the  time  in  Germany  and  some  of  the 
time  in  the  United  States,  but,  wherever  he  is,  knows  more  about  coffee  than  any 
other  living  man.  Next  door  to  him  is  Frederick  J.  West,  Inc.,  who  was  twenty- 
five  years  ago  a  travelling  coffee  salesman  but  is  now  head  of  an  importing  business 
which  rivals  that  of  Crossman  &  Sielcken.  Across  the  street  at  79  are  many  impor- 
ters and  the  Anglo-American  accountants,  Marwick,  Mitchell,  Peat  &  Company, 
with  offices  in  all  the  important  cities  of  England,  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

A  little  farther  down  on  the  south  side  of  Wall  Street,  at  91,  are  the  offices  of 
the  Federal  Sugar  Refining  Company,  and  at  117  those  of  the  American  Sugar 
Refining  Company,  while  the  headquarters  of  Arbuckle  Brothers  are  behind  them, 
on  Hanover  Square. 

In  the  other  buildings  of  this  part  of  Wall  Street,  some  of  them  new  and 
towering,  others  old  and  squat,  are  to  be  found  importers  of  and  dealers  in  all 
kinds  of  commodities,  heirs  of  the  spirit  if  not  of  the  flesh  of  the  old  merchant 
princes,  the  Gracies,  the  Howlands,  the  JNIinturns,  the  Lows,  the  Aspinwalls.  No 
more  do  the  golden  argosies  of  Cathay  float  up  to  the  foot  of  Wall  Street,  but 
the  fine  steamships  of  the  New  York  &  Cuba  Mail  S.  S.  Co.  depart  and  arrive  there, 
to  and  from  the  Spanish  main,  carrying  the  American  flag,  which  is  at  last  begin- 
ning to  regain  the  fame  it  had  before  the  Cival  War,  that  of  being  seen  in  every  port. 

A  familiar  sight  that  is  now  no  more  is  the  old  Wall  Street  Ferry  house. 
The  Subway  under  the  river  brought  its  century-old  career  to  a  final  close.  The 
forest  of  masts  and  bowsprits  which  formerly  gave  South  Street  a  deep-sea 
character  all  its  own,  long  ago  disappeared. 


[93] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


THE  ANGLO-FRENCH  LOAN 

Wall  Street  has  been  the  scene  of  many  memorable  events  in  financial  history, 
but  none  have  exceeded  in  dramatic  interest  the  raising  of  the  huge  sum  of  five 
hundred  millions  of  dollars  for  the  British  and  French  Governments  which  was 
successfully  carried  out  under  the  direction  of  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.  and  their  asso- 
ciates. 

The  loan  agreement  was  signed  by  all  the  Anglo-French  Commissioners  in  the 
banking  house  of  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.  on  October  14,  1915,  Baron  Reading,  Lord 
Chief  Justice  of  England,  Sir  Edward  IT.  Ilolden,  Chairman  of  the  London  City 
&  Midland  Bank,  Ltd.,  Sir  Edward  Babington  Smith  and  Basil  P.  Blackett  sign- 
ing on  behalf  of  Great  Britain,  and  Octave  ITomberg,  of  the  Ministry  of  Foreign 
Affairs  of  France,  and  Ernest  JNIallett,  Regent  of  the  Bank  of  France,  representing 
the  French  Government.  J.  P.  Morgan  signed  for  his  firm,  while  the  following 
affixed  their  signatures  as  witnesses:  Francis  lA'nde  Stetson,  attorney  for  J.  P. 
Morgan  &  Co..;  Franklin  W.  INIcCutcheon  of  Byrne  &  ]\IcCutcheon,  who  served 
as  legal  advisers  to  the  Commission ;  George  H.  Gardiner  of  Stetson,  Jennings  & 
Russell,  who  assisted  in  the  preparation  of  the  papers,  and  Basil  P.  Blackett. 

After  the  signing  of  the  agreement.  Lord  Reading  and  ]\L  Tlomberg  both  ad- 
dressed the  gathering  which  had  witnessed  the  closing  of  the  transaction  in  the 
offices  of  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.   Lord  Reading  said: 

Mr.  Morgan  and  Gentlemen: 

We  are  met  here  this  afternoon  on  an  historic  occasion.  We  have  just  signed  a  contract  for  the  .$.500,- 
000,000  loan.  I  don't  want  to  separate  from  you  on  this  occasion  without  telling  you  how  much  we  are 
indebted  to  you  for  your  assistance  in  this  matter. 

We  realized  from  the  first  that  it  was  only  possible  to  carry  out  a  transaction  of  this  magnitude  if 
there  was  loyal  and  devoted  co-operation  by  all  concerned — from  Messrs.  Morgan  &  Co.  and  from  all  their 
associates  in  the  syndicate.  From  them  we  have  had  nothing  but  the  greatest  assistance  and  conscientious  and 
sincere  advice,  and  it  is  for  that  reason  I  desire  to  express  our  sincere  gratitude.  This  has  not  been  an  easy 
task,  and  on  the  whole,  taking  into  account  the  magnitude  of  the  transaction,  the  result  has  been  very 
creditable.  Especially  as  we  have  carried  it  through  by  the  date  originally  fixed  for  the  first  payment  on  the 
bonds. 

It  may  not  have  been  the  exact  date  we  intended,  but  we  have  got  there.  The  credit  for  that  is  due 
to  the  work  so  thoroughly  and  earnestly  performed  by  Messrs.  Morgan  &  Co.,  which  I  know  has  been  work- 
ing day  and  night. 

This  is  not  an  occasion  on  which  I  desire  to  make  a  speech.  However,  I  do  feel  that  on  behalf  of  the 
English  Government  it  is  incumbent  upon  us  to  say  that  we  are  much  indebted  to  all  who  have  aided. 

May  I  add  another  observation  which  I  think  will  be  of  interest  to  the  public  at  large.  After  a  close 
study  of  conditions  here,  after  having  made  ourselves  acquainted  with  the  difficulties  of  the  transaction — in  a 
country  where  the  people  are  not  familiar  with  external  loans — the  advice  given  us  was  conscientiously  and 
honestly  given  us,  not  only  in  the  best  interests  of  our  own  country,  but,  we  believe,  in  the  best  interests  of 
the  United  States. 

M.  Homberg,  in  French,  similarly  thanked  the  underwriters  for  their  success- 
ful efforts  in  the  flotation  of  the  loan. 

THE  DOLLAR  SUPPLANTS  THE  POUND  STERLING 

In  connection  with  the  visit  and  with  the  newly  acquired  position  of  impor- 
tance of  the  American  dollar,  a  conference  between  Sir  Edward  H.  Holden  and 
local  bankers  was  held  in  the  directors'  room  of  the  National  City  Bank  for  the 


[94] 


Uirui  uf  Nrui  ^nrk  in  Iran 


AN  EXTREMELY  INTERESTING  AND  ONE  OF  THE  EARLIEST  VIEWS  OF 
THE  CITY  SOON  AFTER  THE  R  E  P  U  B  L  I C  W  AS  FOR  M  E  D  ITSHOWSTHE 
WEST  SIDE  OF  THE  CITY  FROM  THE  BATTERY  TO  A  POINTJU  ST  BE- 
YOND TRINITY  CHURCH.  THE  NEW  HOUSE  FOR  GENERAL  WASH- 
INGTON" (GOVERNMENT  HOUSE) AND  THE  CHURN"  ARE  THE  MOST 
PROMINENT  FEATURES  A  MAN  O  WAR  AT  ANCHOR  IS  SHOWN  AT 
LEFT.  NO  OTHER  COPY  OF  THIS  RARE  ENGRAVING  IS  KNOWN  TO 
EXIST. 

FHOH   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MM,  I'tHLY    H.  PYNt.  2NI), 


Wall  Street  in  History 


consideration  of  proposals  for  the  establisliment  of  dollar  credits  to  supplement  the 
present  method  of  drawing  sterling  bills  direct  on  London.  The  conference,  it 
was  said,  was  designed  in  order  that  Sir  Edward  "might  get  a  picture  of  the 
foreign  exchange  situation  as  it  is  seen  in  this  country  for  presentation  to  English 
bankers  on  his  return."  The  fact  is  said  to  have  been  brought  home  to  him  that 
the  temporary  substitution  of  the  American  dollar  for  pounds  sterling,  as  a  basis 
of  credit  transactions  between  the  two  countries,  is  about  the  only  solution  which 
could  be  suggested.  The  Times  quotes  one  of  the  bankers  present  at  the  con- 
ference as  saying: 

It  is  now  proposed  that  London  banks  guarantee  their  customers  for  definite  amounts  with  American 
banks,  and  that  exporters  draw  their  drafts  on  these  banks  in  dollars.  The  bills  run  for  ninety  days,  and 
the  London  banks  would  have  that  length  of  time  in  which  to  settle  their  obligations,  or,  if  necessary,  to  pur- 
chase gold  for  shipment.  It  is  believed  that  under  such  an  arrangement  there  would  be  in  the  American 
banks  from  $250,000,000  to  $300,000,000  of  bills  awaiting  maturity  at  all  times,  so  that  the  exchange  market 
would  be  relieved  of  this  amount. 

Sir  Edward  Holden  objected  to  this  on  the  ground  that  it  meant  a  transfer  of  the  risks  of  exchange  from 
the  exporter  in  the  L^nited  States  to  the  importer  in  Great  Britain.  This  fact  was  admitted  by  his  American 
colleagues,  but  they  offered  in  reply  a  suggestion  that  in  making  contracts  the  importers  figure  on  a  basis  that 
would  allow  them  to  purchase  gold  at  the  end  of  the  ninety-day  period  in  the  event  that  the  exchange  mar- 
ket has  not  been  favorable  to  a  purchase  of  dollar  exchange.  Sir  Edward  then  objected  that  such  a  plan 
might  drain  England  of  too  much  of  her  store  of  gold. 

The  suggestion,  it  is  stated,  will  be  laid  before  the  London  joint  stock  bankers  on  the  return  of  the 
Anglo-French  Commission,  and  it  is  considered  probable  that  some  kind  of  an  understanding  can  be  reached 
in  the  matter. 

The  conference  was  attended  by  James  S.  Alexander,  President  of  the  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Commerce;  William  H.  Porter,  of  J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.;  Max 
May,  Vice-President  and  Manager  of  the  foreign  exchange  department  of  the 
Guaranty  Trust  Co.;  Charles  H,  Sabin,  President  of  the  Guaranty  Trust  Co.; 
James  Brown,  of  Brown  Bros.  &  Co.;  Benjamin  Strong,  Jr.,  Governor  of  the 
Federal  Reserve  Bank,  and  Frank  A.  Vanderlip,  President  of  the  National  City 
Bank;  James  H.  Perkins,  Vice-President  of  the  National  City,  and  J.  E.  Gardin, 
Vice-President  and  INIanager  of  the  foreign  exchange  department  of  the  National 
City  Bank. 

While  the  old-time  history  of  the  Street  is  of  absorbing  interest,  greater  events 
are  in  the  making,  and  history  a  hundred  years  hence  will  no  doubt  surpass  in  in- 
terest much  of  what  we  have  written  in  1916,  the  year  in  which  New  York  became 
the  financial  centre  of  the  world. 

OLD  VIEWS  OF  WALL  STREET 

The  collecting  of  old  views  of  New  York  has  always  had  a  peculiar  fasci- 
nation for  very  many  New  Yorkers.  The  fact  that  the  growth  of  the  city  from 
its  very  infancy  has  been  faithfully  portrayed  by  a  continued  series  of  absolutely 
authentic  paintings,  drawings  and  old  prints  undoubtedly  lends  a  charm  to  the 
acquisition  of  these  old  pictures,  which  elsewhere  have  been  described  in  their 
chronological  order. 

Some  very  extensive  and  most  important  collections,  away  beyond  the  scope  of 


[97] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


any  public  institution,  have  been  gathered  together  by  various  individuals,  among 
which  are  a  great  many  items  of  the  greatest  rarity  and  some  of  which  are  positively 
unique;  at  the  same  time  the  happy  possessors  of  these  treasures  are  at  all  times 
perfectly  willing  and  very  glad  to  allow  them  to  be  reproduced  for  the  enjoyment 
of  others.  So  that  in  a  work  of  this  character  it  is  possible  to  show  many  very 
interesting  views  which  otherwise  would  be  unknown  to  the  public  at  large. 

It  is  quite  natural  to  find  the  depicting  of  Wall  Street  a  favorite  subject  for 
artists,  and  there  are  many  of  the  collectors  above  referred  to  who  make  a  particu- 
larly assiduous  search  for  everything  it  is  possible  to  find  showing  some  view  of  the 
Street  as  it  was.  They  of  course  have  always  been  Wall  Street  men,  or  inter- 
ested in  Wall  Street  affairs. 

From  the  very  beginning  (1C53)  the  "Wall,"  or  Stockade,  can  be  seen  in  sev- 
eral of  the  earliest  views  of  New  York.  This  was  erected  to  protect  the  town 
from  a  threatened  invasion  of  New  Englanders  whom  the  Dutch  regarded  as  "a 
lithe,  slippery  and  aggressive  race."  The  invasion  never  took  place,  but  the  wall 
remained  until  1699,  and  succeeded  nobly  in  keeping  the  town  from  growing  beyond 
this  useless  barrier.  In  1(590  there  are  several  separate  drawings  of  tlie  Water 
Gate  at  the  East  River,  and  the  Land  Gate  at  Broadway — also  of  the  Bastions. 

THE  STOCK  EXCHANGE 

No  account  of  the  Street  would  be  complete  without  a  history  of  the  most 
famous  institution  in  it — the  New  York  Stock  Exchange.  And  yet  so  much  has 
already  been  written  on  this  subject  that  a  new  angle  is  hard  to  find.  From  one 
point  of  view  it  is  everything  disreputable,  while  from  another  it  is  exactly  the  re- 
verse. As  a  matter  of  fact  neither  is  correct,  and  while  there  did  exist  some  prac- 
tices that  were  not  ethically  sound  the  Exchange  itself  took  steps  to  remedy  the 
evils  and  admirably  succeeded. 

The  Revolution  first  created  a  demand  for  stocks  and  bonds,  and  while  the 
business  for  many  years  was  relatively  insignificant  the  need  of  special  machinery 
for  handling  securities  apart  from  merchandise  and  banking  soon  made  itself  felt. 
And  as  the  country  expanded  and  new  capital  was  required  the  business  of  buy- 
ing, selling  and  raising  new  funds  quickly  became  important.  It  was  conducted  at 
first  in  a  very  modest  sort  of  a  way  by  brokers  who  had  their  headquarters  mainly 
at  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  and  later  at  the  JNIerchants'  Exchange.  The  first 
recorded  meeting  seems  to  have  been  about  1817,  when  some  twenty  men  responded 
to  a  notice  calling  for  a  meeting  to  form  a  more  compact  body  than  had  up  till 
then  existed. 

For  a  long  time  the  "Exchange"  occupied  the  square  in  the  open  street  at 
Broad  and  William  Streets  about  where  Delnionico's  now  stands,  and  in  a  general 
way  the  business  was  conducted  very  much  after  the  fashion  of  the  present  curb 
brokers.  Many  old  prints  are  in  existence  showing  the  group  standing  around, 
most  of  them  wearing  the  old  silk  topper  so  fashionable  in  the  50s.  After  a  while 
they  moved  up  to  their  present  location  and  the  sessions  were  ever  after  conducted 


[98] 


iEarlg  iauH  of  tijr  i>tork  lExrljangp 


THE  CURB  MARKET.  BEAVER  AND  WILLIAM  STREETS.  1864.  PRESENT 
SITE  OF  THE  FARMERS  LOAN  AND  TRUST  CO..  SELIGMAN  ft  CO.. 
DELMONICO  S  AND  CORN  EXCHANGE  BANK 

IT  WAS  SOME  TIME  BEFORE  THE  STOCK  EXCHANGE  MOVED  INTO  A 
BUILDING  OF  ITS  OWN.  ITS  BUSINESS  BEING  TRANSACTED  FOR 
MANY  YEARS  ON  THE  STREET.  JUST  AS  THE  PRESENT  CURB  BROKERS' 

COLLECTION  SAMUEL  SLOAN 


Wall  Street  in  History 


in  their  own  building,  which  contained  a  large  room  for  trading.  The  present 
magnificent  structure  on  Broad  Street  is  an  enlargement  of  their  former  quarters, 
although  the  alterations  are  on  so  vast  a  scale  as  to  make  it  entirely  a  new  build- 
ing. It  is  one  of  the  notable  buildings  architecturally  in  the  city  and  is  one  of  the 
sights  of  lower  downtown. 

The  President  of  the  Exchange,  Mr.  H.  G.  S.  Noble,  has  recently  written  a 
highly  informative  book  on  the  Exchange  during  the  great  crisis  of  1914,  and  the 
article  certainly  gives  a  wonderful  insight  into  the  successful  workings  of  a  great 
monetary  machine  under  most  extraordinary  circumstances.  The  famous  Com- 
mittee of  Five  in  whose  hands  rested  the  responsibility  of  re-opening  the  Ex- 
change passed  many  anxious  moments  before  the  decision  was  finally  made.  Sir 
George  Paish  and  Mr.  Basil  P.  Blackett  from  London  met  this  committee  and  their 
counsel  was  of  great  help.  When  the  Exchange  resumed  business  a  great  relief 
was  at  once  experienced  throughout  the  whole  country,  and  none  of  the  disastrous 
results  anticipated  by  the  timid  were  ever  realized.  Mr.  Noble's  book  forms  an 
interesting  contribution  to  the  literature  of  Wall  Street. 

The  membership  of  the  Exchange  at  present  is  limited  to  eleven  hundred 
members.  Seats  are  worth  at  present  (1916)  about  $80,000.  They  fluctuate  ac- 
cording to  business  conditions.  Mr.  H.  G.  S.  Noble  is  President,  Mr.  Winthrop 
Burr  Vice-President,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Newcombe  Treasurer,  Mr.  George  W.  Ely 
Secretary,  Mr.  H.  S.  Martin  Assistant  Secretary. 

Mr.  William  C.  Van  Antwerp  of  the  Governing  Committee  has  written  a  very 
exhaustive  treatise  on  the  functions  of  the  Exchange  in  its  relation  to  the  business 
of  the  country  at  large  and  answers  successfully  many  of  the  mooted  questions 
brought  up  by  would-be  critics  and  muckrakers. 

The  list  of  membership  includes  many  of  the  most  prominent  financiers  of  the 
country,  whose  figures  are  familiar  in  any  gathering  of  prominence  in  the  city. 

J.  P.  Morgan  is  a  member  of  the  Stock  Exchange,  and  so  is  John  D.  Rocke- 
feller. Jacob  Schiff  is  not,  but  his  son,  Mortimer  L.  Schiff,  is  a  member.  The 
Ryan  interests  also  are  represented  by  a  member  of  the  second  generation,  Allan 
A.  Ryan,  son  of  Thomas  Fortune  Ryan,  and  the  Harriman  interests  by  Joseph 
W.  Harriman,  a  nephew  of  the  "wizard  of  Union  Pacific."  Mr.  Joseph  W.  Har- 
riman, by  the  way,  is  also  president  of  the  Harriman  National  Bank,  on  Fifth 
Avenue.  Stuyvesant  Fish,  E.  H.  Harriman's  great  rival,  has  a  son  on  tlie  Ex- 
change, Stuyvesant  Fish,  Jr.,  board  member  of  the  firm  of  Callaway,  Fish  &  Com- 
pany, while  Mr.  Callaway  of  the  same  firm  is  a  son  of  the  late  president  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad. 

Anthony  J.  Drexel,  Jr.,  is  another  Stock  Exchange  representative  of  an 
ancient  financial  family.  The  Lewisohns  have  two  memberships  and  two  firms, 
Adolph  Lewisohn  of  Adolph  Lewisohn  &  Sons  and  Frederick  Lewisohn  of  Lewi- 
sohn  Brothers.  The  oldest  member  is  J.  N.  Whitehouse  of  Whitehouse  & 
Company,  111  Broadway.  He  was  admitted  Nov.  20,  1857.  The  next  oldest  is 
A.  M.  Cahoone  of  Martin  &  Company,  6  Wall  Street,  admitted  May  10,  1862. 
E.  C.  Benedict  has  been  a  member  of  the  exchange  since  1863,  Henry  Clews  since 


[101] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


1804,  W.  T.  Colbron  since  1866,  G.  J.  Losea  and  C.  H.  Leland  since  1867  and 
H.  S.  Germond  since  1868.  A  number  of  members  date  their  admission  from  1869, 
among  them  James  Seligman  of  J.  &  W.  Sehgman,  W.  F.  Bishop,  S.  W.  Boocock, 
John  V.  and  M.  C.  Bouvier  of  M.  C.  Bouvier  &  Company,  F.  K.  Strong  of  Strong, 
Sturgis  &  Company,  W.  N.  Wadsworth  of  Wadsvvorth  &  Wright.  And  many  are 
the  members  who  go  back  to  the  70's  and  80's. 

Some  of  these  old  firms  have  changed  their  names  and  personnel  from  time  to 
time,  for  Wall  Street  is  in  a  constant  state  of  flux,  but  a  respectable  percentage 
of  them  have  been  operating  under  the  same  titles  for  three  decades  and  more. 
Among  them  are:  M.  &  H.  Clarkson,  organized  in  1866;  Kountze  Brothers,  1870; 
Day  &  Heaton,  1871;  Lee,  Higginson  &  Company,  1876;  Floyd-Jones  &  Robi- 
son,  1878;  Jesup  &  Lamont,  1877;  Speyer  &  Company,  1878;  Asiel  &  Company 
and  Boody,  McLellan  &  Company,  1879;  Jackson  &  Curtis,  1880;  Pearl  &  Com- 
pany, 1881;  William  Morris,  Imbrie  &  Company,  1882;  A.  W.  Kilborne  &  Com- 
pany, 1884;  Fahnestock  &  Company,  1886;  JNIaitland,  Coppell  &  Company,  1886; 
Joseph  Walker  &  Sons,  1886;  A.  M.  Kidder  &  Company,  1889;  H.  Amy  &  Com- 
pany, 1889;  Hornblower  &  Weeks,  1889. 

Not  all  the  eleven  hundred  members  of  the  Exchange  are  active,  of  course. 
Many  of  them  keep  their  membership  for  certain  valuable  privileges,  such  as  the 
making  of  their  own  investments  by  direct  purchase.  John  D.  Rockefeller  never 
appears  on  the  board  and  Henry  K.  McHarg  but  seldom.  Mr.  McHarg,  who  is 
vice-president  of  the  Bank  of  the  Manhattan  Company  and  an  influential  if  modest 
capitalist,  finds  his  membership  of  great  value  to  him  personally  as  well  as  to  his 
bank.  The  same  is  true  of  Henry  C.  Swords,  president  of  the  Fulton  Trust  Com- 
pany, who  was  for  many  years  treasurer  of  the  Stock  Exchange. 

Among  the  most  active  members  Harry  Content,  Barnard  Baruch  and  Eugene 
Meyer,  Jr.,  are  conspicuous.  Each  of  these  three  men  is  credited  with  making 
great  fortunes  by  trading  on  his  own  account  as  well  as  by  executing  commissions 
for  the  big  "pools." 

E.  &  C.  Randolph  &  Company  and  James  H.  Oliphant  &  Company  are  types 
of  the  old  and  conservative  houses  with  rich  clienteles,  who  are  better  known  to 
inherited  wealth  than  to  the  investor  who  is  looking  for  sudden  profits.  Mr.  Ed- 
mund C.  Randolph  has  been  for  many  years  warden  of  Wall  Street's  church.  Trin- 
ity, the  richest  religious  corporation  in  America  with  an  income  from  investments 
alone  of  over  $1,000,000.  James  H.  Oliphant  &  Company  is  representative  both 
of  old  and  new  Wall  Street,  for  while  the  house  is  an  old  one,  all  the  present  mem- 
bers are  young  men.  J.  Norris  Oliphant,  head  of  the  firm,  has  been  out  of  college 
only  a  few  years,  and  Floyd  W.  Mundy,  whose  annual  publication  of  "The  Earn- 
ing Power  of  Railroads"  has  made  his  name  familiar  to  all  students  of  railroad 
finance,  is  under  forty. 

Carlisle,  Mellick  &  Company  have  the  distinction  of  owning  the  largest  number 
of  memberships  on  the  Stock  Exchange — six.  DeCoppet  &  Doremus,  of  which  firm 
Mr.  H.  G.  S.  Noble,  president  of  the  Stock  Exchange,  is  a  member,  have  five. 


[102] 


Jnaugurattait  of  (Spttrral  Waaljingtun  as  Ifitst  ^rtaibtiit  of  ti^t  lUniUb  &tatPB 
in  STpbpral  iSjall,  Hall  &trppl:  \7B9 


AN  INTERESTING  SKETCH  OF  THE  MOST  NOTABLE  EVENT  IN  THE 
HISTORY  OF  WALL  STREET  PRINTED  FROM  AN  ORIGINAL  ENGRAV- 
ING ON  WOOD 


Wai.l  Steeet  in  History 


Most  of  the  other  houses  seem  content  with  one  or  two  board  memberships,  which  is 
not  strange  considering  the  price  of  $80,000  a  seat. 

To  further  single  out  houses  which  are  distinguished  for  this  or  that  character- 
istic would  be  what  the  theologians  call  a  work  of  supererogation,  since  member- 
ship in  the  Exchange  itself  confers  an  honor  which  is  in  finance  what  the  ribbon 
of  the  Legion  of  Honor  is  in  military  life,  but  one  may  without  fear  of  incurring 
suspicion  of  unneutrality  mention  among  the  younger  firms  such  houses  as  Warren 
W.  Erwin  &  Company,  Hollister,  Fish  &  Company,  HoUister,  Lyon  &  Walton, 
Dominick  &  Dominick,  Benedict,  Drj^sdale  &  Company,  Colgate  Hoyt  &  Com- 
pany, F.  B.  Keech  &  Company.  These  houses  are  typical  of  scores  whose  purpose 
is  to  encourage  thrift  and  to  protect  the  investor  as  much  as  to  collect  commis- 
sions. The  type  of  broker  who  is,  in  Mr.  Croker's  words,  "working  for  his  own 
pocket  all  the  time,"  is  fast  fading  into  innocuous  desuetude. 

The  wonderful  fortunes  gained  and  lost  on  the  Exchange  must  ever  invest 
this  peculiar  institution  with  a  fascination  and  a  romance  all  its  own.  In  fact,  the 
average  playwright  would  be  hard  put  to  find  material  if  he  could  not  by  a  sudden 
twist  transfer  the  hero  into  a  millionaire  and  the  villain  to  a  pauper  through  the 
medium  of  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange. 

CHANGES  OF  THE  PAST  IN  WALL  STREET  BUILDINGS 

In  a  preceding  section  a  detailed  account  has  been  given  of  the  earlier  history 
of  Wall  Street,  and  its  various  buildings,  and  in  particular  the  story  of  the  very 
delightful  manner  in  which  Governor  Dongan  acquired  valuable  building  lots  on 
the  north  side  of  what  has  become  one  of  the  world's  greatest  streets,  and  which 
have  augmented  in  value  beyond  the  dreams  of  avarice. 

Twice  an  attempt  was  made  to  restore  the  original  width  of  one  hundred  feet 
as  originally  intended ;  but  it  is  only  below  Water  Street,  which  is  all  made  ground, 
that  this  has  been  accomplished,  and  very  probably  many  New  Yorkers  will  be 
surprised  to  learn  that  the  ferry  house  and  slips  have  recently  disappeared  and 
modern  docks  have  taken  the  place  of  them.  In  the  following  lines  an  effort  will 
be  made  to  compare  the  general  appearance  of  the  street  to-day  with  what  we  know 
of  it  in  the  past. 

THE  NORTH  SIDE 

No.  2.  At  the  corner  of  Broadway,  the  present  home  of  the  First  National 
Bank;  has  stood  there  for  many  years.  It  replaced  quite  an  imposing  structure 
which  was  occupied  by  the  Bank  of  the  Republic.  Prior  to  that,  a  very  substantial 
building  had  stood  there  since  1820,  originally  occupied  by  Howard,  Keeler,  Sco- 
field  &  Co.,  drygoods  merchants,  and  afterward  remodelled  as  an  office  building, 
and  was  always  a  favorite  address  for  prominent  brokers  and  lawyers. 

The  view  of  this  building,  showing  the  block  extending  to  Nassau  Street,  is 
here  reproduced  for  the  first  time  from  a  contemporary  print  in  the  possession  of 
Mr.  Robert  Goelet  by  Peter  Maverick  and  redrawn  by  E.  Johnson  King  in  a  very 


[105] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


beautiful  water-color.  This  is  one  of  the  very  rare  views  of  Wall  Street  of  which 
only  three  others  are  known — in  the  collections  of  Messrs.  E.  W.  C.  Arnold  and 
John  D.  Crimmins  and  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  This  same  building  is 
seen  again  in  a  drawing,  presumably  by  Robertson,  which  Mr.  Stokes  has  recently 
discovered.  In  the  earlier  print  by  Tiebout  of  Federal  Hall,  two  very  small 
shanties  occuj^y  this  corner,  and  originally  one  of  the  bastions  in  the  "Wall"  stood 
at  what  is  now  No.  4. 

The  next  small  building  shown  in  the  view  was  occupied  by  P.  A.  Mesier,  a 
bookseller  and  lithographer,  who  did  some  very  interesting  old  views  of  New 
York.  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  was  taken  down  about  184.5  and  re-erected 
in  Jersey  City.  The  present  buildings  on  these  lots  have  stood  there  for  some  time. 
They  replaced  the  old-fashioned  office  buildings  of  Wall  Street  as  shown  in  the 
Tallis  Views.  Many  of  the  old  fire  insurance  companies  were  located  here:  The 
North  American  at  No.  C,  the  Humboldt  at  No.  10,  the  Astor  at  No.  16,  etc.  The 
remaining  small  building,  at  the  corner  of  Nassau  Street,  is  the  famous  Simmons 
Tavern,  which  was  directly  across  from  the  Federal  Hall.  It  was  here  the  first 
meeting  of  the  Aldermen  was  held  in  1783  after  the  British  evacuation.  This  site 
is  now  occupied  by  the  imposing  new  structure  of  the  Bankers'  Trust  Co.  It  is 
hardly  possible  to  present  pictorially  a  more  striking  contrast  of  the  past  and 
present  as  may  be  seen  here. 

No.  10.  Tliis  and  tlie  ad  joining  building  (the  Schermerhorn)  extend  through 
to  Pine  Street,  and  their  corridors  form  a  part  of  the  rain^'-day  route  through  the 
downtown  section  by  means  of  which  it  is  possible  to  go  from  Liberty  Street  and 
Broadway  to  William  and  Beaver  Streets  almost  under  cover  all  the  way  except 
in  crossing  a  street.  At  the  Pine  Street  entrance  is  the  office  of  Mr.  John  N. 
Golding,  who  has  a  ver^'  large  and  valuable  collection  of  old  New  York  prints, 
completely  covering  the  walls,  and  which  are  well  worth  visiting.  Mr.  Golding 
is  always  delighted  to  have  one  do  so  and  can  tell  more  interesting  things  about  the 
changes  in  this  district  than  anyone  else. 

At  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets,  which  has  been  the  most  important 
one  at  all  times,  the  United  States  Sub-Treasury  is  the  only  building  now  re- 
maining of  all  those  which  are  to  be  seen  in  the  old  pictures  of  Wall  Street.  At 
the  same  time  it  is  the  most  interesting  structure  to  be  seen  there  to-day.  Here 
it  is  that  Uncle  Sam  keeps  constantly  on  hand  vast  millions  of  gold ;  every  day  a 
settlement  is  made  here  of  the  balances  due  all  of  the  New  York  banks  presenting 
checks  of  the  Government  drawn  for  all  purposes  and  received  from  all  parts  of 
the  country.  Here  also  are  deposited  every  day  the  receipts  of  the  Custom  House. 
At  any  time  the  passer-by  may  see  a  wagon  backed  up  to  the  curb  from  which  is 
unloaded  gold  in  bars  and  in  coin,  some  in  bags,  some  in  kegs ;  also  silver  bullion  in 
huge  quantities,  which  is  handled  without  any  covering  at  all,  just  as  ordinary  build- 
ing material — a  very  familiar  sight  to  the  habitues  of  the  street,  but  one  which  is 
always  fascinating  to  the  sightseer.  Recently  as  much  as  fifty  millions  a  day  in 
gold  has  been  brought  here  by  express  wagons. 

This  was  the  United  States  Custom  House,  built  (1834-1841)  at  a  cost,  in- 


[106] 


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<>-cii-_ccZHin 


Wall  Street  in  History 


eluding  the  ground,  of  $1,195,000 — an  appalling  amount  for  those  days,  but  New 
Yorkers  gloried  in  having  such  a  monumental  structure  for  one  of  its  show  places, 
and  the  guide  books  of  the  day  are  unstinted  in  their  eulogistic  descriptions  of  its 
great  beauties  and  wonderful  details  of  construction,  etc.,  such  as  blocks  of  marble 
weighing  thirty-three  tons,  the  marble  roof  consisting  of  slabs  weighing  three  hun- 
dred pounds  each,  and  the  probability  of  its  being  the  only  fireproof  building  in  the 
world.  Formerly  there  was  an  entrance  on  Nassau  Street,  which  was  removed 
when,  in  1862,  the  Custom  House  was  established  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange 
(now  the  National  City  Bank  Building)  and  extensive  alterations  were  made  to 
accommodate  the  building  for  its  present  use. 

It  occupies  part  of  the  site  of  the  historic  old  Federal  Hall,  described  in  a 
former  chapter,  which  included  what  is  now  Nassau  Street  (1699-1812),  and  has 
thus, stood  at  the  head  of  Broad  Street — as  far  uptown  as  might  be!  Everyone 
should  be  familiar  with  the  appearance  of  this  famous  national  edifice;  there  are 
several  contemporary  prints  of  it,  but  the  engraving  by  Tiebout  is  the  best  picture 
and  gives  also  a  good  view  of  the  locality.  Numerous  copies  and  reproductions 
of  this  are  available,  but,  unfortunately,  of  the  original  plate  only  a  few  prints 
are  known  to  exist.  The  Stock  Exchange  Luncheon  Club  is  the  happy  possessor 
of  one  of  these  in  their  great  collection  of  old  Wall  Street  Views.  It  was  pur- 
chased some  years  ago  when  Mr.  Stuart  Wortley,  Mr.  Maury  and  Mr.  Halsey 
were  on  the  Art  Committee — at  a  cost,  it  is  said,  of  about  one  hundred  dollars — at 
any  rate,  no  other  copy  has  since  been  offered  for  sale  until  two  years  ago  one 
appeared  in  the  catalogue  of  a  sale  of  old  prints,  which  finally  was  knocked  down 
to  the  successful  bidder  for  $2,950,  and  is  now  the  very  much  envied  possession  of 
Mr.  Percy  R.  Pyne  2nd,  who  owns  one  of  the  most  important  collections  of  old 
New  York  Views. 

The  jog  in  the  sidewalk  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Nassau  Street  was  origi- 
nally Piewoman's  Lane,  or  Kip  Street,  over  which  Federal  Hall  projected,  and 
was  the  only  entrance  to  Nassau  Street  beyond,  until  1812,  when  the  building  was 
reconstructed  for  use  as  the  Custom  House. 

Part  of  the  railing  on  the  balcony  from  M^hich  Washington  delivered  his  first 
inaugural  address  is  in  the  custody  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  and  a 
second  part  is  in  front  of  Bellevue  Hospital. 

On  the  present  vacant  space  next  to  the  Sub-Treasury  until  quite  recently 
stood  the  oldest  Federal  building  in  New  York,  the  Assay  Office,  known  as  No. 
32  Wall  Street,  which  was  built  in  1823  as  the  United  States  Bank  and  Treasury. 
The  fa9ade  of  this  venerable  old  pile  has  been  carefully  removed  and  is  to  be  pre- 
served in  its  original  form  at  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art.  Prior  to  its 
last  use  as  the  Assay  Office  it  had  been  an  office  building,  and  in  one  of  the  old 
prints  may  be  seen  the  names  of  some  of  the  tenants,  such  as  Livermore,  Clews  & 
Co.,  Vermilye  &  Co.,  etc.  The  former  is  still  a  household  word  in  the  Street,  but  of 
the  latter  it  may  be  said  that  it  was  truly  "trailed  in  the  dust  of  Nassau  Street." 

This  was  also  the  site  of  the  beautiful  Verplanck  mansion  and  gardens,  adjoin- 


[109] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


ing  Federal  Hall,  and  which  was  occupied  during  the  British  invasion  by  General 
Robertson,  the  Royal  Governor.  A  very  fine  jjrint  of  this  is  to  be  found  among 
the  Peabody  Views. 

Nos.  34-36.  This  is  a  modern  building  of  the  earlier  period,  and  was  until 
recently  occupied  by  the  Gallatin  National  Bank  (now  merged  with  the  Hanover). 
In  its  offices  there  was  a  very  interesting  collection  of  old  views  of  Wall  Street 
at  various  periods.  One  of  them  (1868)  shows  the  former  buildings  in  this  whole 
block;  its  predecessors  were  the  Union  Bank  at  No.  34  and  the  National  Bank  at 
38,  also  Charnley  and  Hatch,  brokers.  One  of  the  present  tenants,  Mr,  James  C. 
Colgate,  possesses  a  very  comprehensive  and  valuable  collection  of  the  old  prints 
of  Wall  Street,  and  also  views  of  the  city  from  the  earliest  period. 

No.  38.  Post  &  Flagg,  the  brokers,  have  occupied  this  entire  building  for 
many  years.  It  replaced  a  three-story  building  which  was  the  old  office  of  Fisk 
&  Hatch,  and  the  Mechanics'  Association.  Mr.  George  B.  Post,  of  this  firm,  is 
also  a  collector  of  the  old  views. 

No.  40.  Bank  of  the  Manhattan  Co.,  the  second  oldest  bank  m  New  York, 
founded  in  1799,  is  one  of  the  century-old  institutions  which  have  always  occupied 
their  original  sites  in  this  immediate  neighborhood.  With  the  aid  of  Aaron  Burr 
the  original  charter  was  obtained  ostensibly  to  supply  New  York  with  drinking  wa- 
ter. The  old  building  seen  in  a  view  of  1864  is  only  two  stories  and  a  half,  sur- 
mounted by  the  large  figure  of  Neptune  which  originally  was  over  the  entrance 
to  the  waterworks  in  Duane  Street.  When  another  story  was  added  a  few  years 
later,  this  was  taken  down,  but  is  still  preserved  in  the  bank,  along  with  some  of  the 
original  wooden  water  pipe.  The  present  building  was  erected  about  1882,  when 
the  Merchants'  Bank,  next  door — the  third  oldest  bank,  organized  in  1803 — de- 
cided to  demolish  their  ancient  structure  with  its  imposing  columns  to  make  way 
for  one  of  more  modern  construction.  Many  of  the  present  tenants  have  been  at 
this  address  for  a  long  period.  Robert  Winthrop  &  Co.  were  always  here,  and  the 
very  important  law  firm  of  Strong  &  Cadwalader.  Mr.  Nicholas  F.  Palmer, 
whose  offices  are  also  here,  has  some  very  rare  old  Wall  Street  views. 

No.  44,  the  Bank  of  North  America,  and  No.  46,  the  Bank  of  America,  are  also 
century-old  institutions,  occupying  comparatively  small  buildings  of  the  earlier 
modern  construction.  The  old  Bank  of  America  Building,  No.  46,  was  another 
of  those  with  a  fa9ade  of  Ionic  columns,  a  very  prevalent  style  of  architecture 
about  1830. 

No.  48,  the  Bank  of  New  York,  is  the  oldest  bank  in  New  York,  and  one  of 
the  three  oldest  in  the  United  States.  It  was  founded  by  Alexander  Hamilton  and 
others  in  1784.  The  corner-stone  of  the  building  says  it  was  "laid  June  22,  1797,  by 
Gulian  Verplanck,  Esq.,  the  President,  George  Doolett,  Architect."  No  changes 
have  been  made  in  this  building  for  many  years.  It  occupies  the  site  of  one  of  the 
bastions  or  guard  houses  in  the  old  "Wall." 

No.  52.  The  old  building  of  the  City  Bank,  still  another  of  the  famous  old 
banks  of  this  locality  (now  the  National  City),  remains  as  originally  constructed 


[110] 


THIS  CORNER  WAS  TAKEN  JUST  BEFORE  THE  JONES  &  NEWMAN 
VIEW  OF  1850.  IN  THE  BUILDING  SECOND  FROM  BROADWAY  WAS 
THE  ORIGINAL  PRINT  SHOP  OF  THEO  L.  DE  VINNE.  WHO  AFTER- 
WARDS BECAME  PRINTER  TOTHE  CENTURY  MAGAZINE  AND  ESTAB- 
LISHED THE  DE  VINNE  PRESS.  IN  1849  JOHN  ANDERSON  THE 
TOBACCO  MERCHANT,  VERY  PROMINENT  IN  THOSE  DAYS.  DE- 
MOLISHED THESE  BUILDINGS  AND  ERECTED  A  FIVE-STORY  STRUC- 
TURE FOR  HIS  OWN  BUSINESS  ON  THE  SITE  THIS  WAS  A  STRIKING 
INNOVATION  FOR  THE  TIMES  AND  THE  HIGHEST  YET  PROJECTED. 
ONE  OF  THE  G  R  E  AT  SE  N  S  AT  1 0  N  S  OF  THE  DAY  WAS  THE  DISAPPEAR- 
ANCE OF  A  YOUNG  WOMAN  EMPLOYED  BY  ANDERSON  AS  CASHIER. 

FROM    the:   collection   of   MR.  JOHN    N.  GOLOING. 


Wall  Street  in  History 


with  but  few  changes,  and  next  door  is  the  famous  McEvers  mansion,  which  was 
one  of  the  finest  residences  when  Wall  Street  was  the  Fifth  Avenue  of  the  city. 

No.  58 — The  Central  Trust  Co.  A  modern  building  erected  about  1880 
on  the  site  of  the  first  residence  ever  built  on  the  north  side  of  Wall  Street,  and  one 
in  which  Captain  Kidd  is  said  to  have  lived  at  one  time. 

No.  60  is  a  very  large  new  building  which  took  the  place  of  two  or  three  of  the 
old  houses  which  were  occupied  by  numerous  fire  insurance  companies  such  as  the 
Royal  Fire  and  Life,  the  Aetna,  the  Howard,  the  New  York  Fire  &  Marine. 
There  are  still  two  or  three  of  the  same  old  houses  remaining  in  this  block  awaiting 
their  turn  to  be  demolished.  At  the  corner  of  Pearl  Street  is  the  famous  Sea- 
men's Bank,  which  has  been  there  for  many  years.  One  of  the  oldest  printers 
in  New  York,  G.  F.  Nesbit,  occupied  this  corner  for  a  long  time  also. 

Pearl  Street  to  Water.  This  block  is  occupied  by  one  building  known  as 
the  Tontine.  On  the  lower  corner  stood  the  famous  Tontine  Coffee  House,  of 
which  full  mention  has  been  made.  Not  many  changes  have  occurred  on  this  side 
of  the  Street  from  the  Tontine  to  the  river  front  for  many  years.  Nearly  all  of 
the  old-time  shipping  firms  whose  headquarters  were  located  here  have  long  since 
disappeared,  and  the  buildings  are  as  dilapidated-looking  as  any  that  may  be  found 
in  other  parts  of  the  city. 

The  Rogers  Building,  at  the  corner  of  Front  Street,  is  a  new  building,  and  the 
Ward  Line  of  Steamers  have  also  a  substantial  structure  adjoining  the  Tontine. 

THE  SOUTH  SIDE 

No.  1.  The  present  building  occupies  the  highest  priced  lot  ever  sold  in  New 
York — $700,000.  It  is  also  a  very  small  piece  and  not  adapted  for  the  erection  of 
a  large  modern  building.  This  and  the  adjoining  No.  7  form  the  whole  block  front 
to  New  Street.  The  latter  is  really  a  part  of  the  building  at  84  Broadway.  In 
the  earliest  views  these  lots  are  shown  to  be  vacant;  the  fire  of  1776  had  destroyed 
the  original  houses  which  stood  here,  such  as  they  were,  as  well  as  Trinity  Church. 
The  Maverick  print  of  1820  shows  a  continuous  row  of  small  houses.  The  corner 
one  has  the  signboard  displayed  of  "E.  Cummings,  Exchange  and  Lottery  Tick- 
ets"; next  door  is  a  printer  and  engraver,  but  this  corner  has  always  had  an  at- 
traction for  brokers  and  bankers.  Wilson's  drugstore  will  be  remembered  by  many. 
This  occupied  the  ground  floor  until  the  erection  of  the  present  building  a  few 
years  ago. 

No.  9.  The  Mortimer  Building,  corner  of  New  Street,  was  built  about  1880 
on  the  site  of  two  or  tliree  small  houses,  and  adjoins  the  Wall  Street  entrance  to 
the  Stock  Exchange.  One  of  the  oldest  firms  in  the  old  building  adjoining  the 
Stock  Exchange  was  that  of  Groesbeck  and  Schley,  and  the  bankers  Zimmermann 
&  Forshay  have  occupied  the  ground  floor  of  the  present  building  for  a  long 
time.  Jeremiah  Skidmore  had  a  coal  yard  here  in  the  early  days,  where  now  you 
enter  the  Stock  Exchange  Building. 

No.  15 — The  Wilkes  Building:  Corner  or  Broad  Street.    One  of  the 


[113] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


earlier  modern  buildings,  occupying  an  important  corner.  It  replaces  several  old 
buildings  which  were  familiar  landmarks  in  the  past,  and  housed  many  of  the  great- 
est operators  on  the  Exchange.  The  W estern  Union  Telegraph  Company  occu- 
pied the  corner  on  the  ground  floor,  and  made  it  a  very  busy  place  during  the  day. 
An  old  print  of  1825  shows  a  substantial  four-story  building  here;  the  original 
store  for  Gould's  law  books  was  on  the  ground  floor.  Messrs.  Baylis  &  Co.,  one 
of  the  present  occupants,  have  a  collection  of  prints  in  their  oflices  illustrating  this 
neighborhood  in  olden  times  which  is  of  special  interest. 

No.  23 — J.  P.  Morgan  &  Co.  The  new  building,  recently  completed,  re- 
placed the  last  remaining  old  structure  on  the  south  side  of  Wall  Street,  between 
Broadway  and  William  Street.  It  had  been  erected  about  1870  and  for  years 
was  one  of  the  very  prominent  features  of  this  locality,  and  during  its  existence 
had  housed  very  many  of  the  big  operators  on  the  Stock  P^xchange.  It  replaced 
the  old  four-story  and  attic  building  of  which  tliere  is  a  photograph  of  1864.  In 
fact,  old  views  of  this  section  are  more  numerous  than  of  any  other  part  of  Wall 
Street.  Mr.  Morgan  has  an  old  lithograph  which  is  undoubtedly  unique,  made  in 
1846,  which  gives  a  very  quaint  view  of  this  corner  as  it  appeared  then,  and  the 
appearance  of  the  people  on  the  street,  vehicles,  etc.  It  also  shows  an  oyster  stand 
of  the  sidewalk  which  was  established  on  this  corner  for  many  years.  The  build- 
ing shown  in  the  above  view  is  the  same  which  stood  there  during  the  Revolution, 
and  where  Alexander  Hamilton  had  his  law  office.  To-day  a  grandson  spends  his 
working  hours  in  the  same  spot,  as  one  of  the  Morgan  partners. 

Another  early  lithograph,  depicting  the  great  fire  of  July  19,  1845,  and  the 
explosion  of  the  Johnston  Building  at  30  Broad  Street,  shows  the  same  original 
two-story  building  and  the  public  stores  opposite  where  now  the  Stock  Exchange 
stands.  The  old  watchmaker,  W.  E.  Ladd,  occupied  the  first  floor,  reached  by  a 
small  stoop  on  the  Broad  Street  side,  and  his  sign  of  a  watch  hung  on  the  corner 
of  the  building  for  many  years.  The  upper  story  was  occupied  by  a  printing  office. 
JMr.  Ladd  is  said  to  have  seriously  considered  the  purchase  of  this  property  when 
his  lease  expired,  but  finally  moved  to  the  corner  above,  now  the  Wilkes  Building. 
The  Stock  Exchange  Luncheon  Club  has  a  very  fine  copy  of  this  rare  print,  pre- 
sented to  them  by  Mr.  F.  Gallatin,  Sr.  The  old  photograph  above  referred  to 
also  shows  us  a  view  of  the  block  extending  to  the  old  Custom  House,  and,  ex- 
cepting the  latter,  every  vestige  of  what  is  seen  here  has  disappeared. 

No.  25  was  part  of  the  corner  building ;  Ladd,  the  watchmaker,  has  returned  to 
this  store,  and  the  signs  of  numerous  brokers  are  to  be  seen.  There  was  a  little  nar- 
row space  between  this  and  No.  27  next  door,  on  which  was  a  tiny  three-story  build- 
ing. The  ground  floor  was  Delatour's  Soda  &  Congress  Water  Emporium,  and 
the  thermometer  maintained  there  was  recognized  as  the  authoritative  record  of 
each  day. 

Nos  27-29  were  two  imposing  five-story  office  buildings,  now  also  included  in 
the  Morgan  Bank.  The  old  Leather  &  Manufacturers'  Bank  was  located  at  No. 
29,  and  Nos.  31  and  33  was  the  old  home  of  the  Mechanics  &  Metals  Bank,  where 


[114] 


COPYKIGHT    1913.  H.  C  BROWN 


Hirm  uf  If  art  (Srnrgp,  utitlj  tljp  (£tty  of  Nrui  ^ork, 
from  the  ^'outljutrat.    About  ITfill 


THIS  ENGRAVING  BY  CARWITHAM.  PRINTED  FOR  CARINGTON 
BOWLES,  MAP  AND  PRINT  SELLERS.  AT  NO.  69  IN  ST.  PAUL  S. 
LONDON.  IS  AN  EXCELLENT  VIEW  OF  THE  BATTERY  AND  FORT  AS 
IT  APPEARED  WHEN  NEW  YORK  WAS  A  FLOURISHING  ENGLISH 
COLONY.  ALREADY  A  NUMBER  OF  CHURCHES  ARE  SEEN.  AND 
BUILDINGS  OF  A  SUBSTANTIAL  CHARACTER  APPEAR 
THIS  COPY  IS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  SCARCE.  EARLY  COLORED  ISSUE. 
BEFORE  CHANGE  OF  TITLE  AND  PUBLISHER  AND  IS  EXCEEDINGLY 
RARE. 

FKOM   THE  COLLECTION   or   M  It    nilCT    II    I'VNI  ?ND 


Wall  Street  in  History 


they  remained  until  quite  recently,  when  this  plot  was  also  taken  in  for  the  Mor- 
gan Bank.    Alexander  Hamilton  owned  this  lot  in  1798. 

No.  35.  This  is  the  Wall  Street  entrance  to  the  Mills  Building  on  Broad 
Street,  erected  about  1880,  and  has  been  tenanted  by  some  very  prominent  law 
firms  ever  since.  It  replaced  a  small  four-story  house,  with  the  high  stoop  front. 
There  was  a  vacant  space  between  Nos.  37  and  39  which  was  known  as  Jauncey 
Court,  a  favorite  place  of  meeting  for  brokers,  etc.,  during  the  day.  This  is  now 
occupied  by  the  very  large  building  of  the  Equitable  Trust  Co.  and  extends  through 
to  Exchange  Place.  The  old  banking  firm  of  Colgate  &  Co.  occupied  No.  41, 
where  originally  stood  the  Phoenix  Bank,  with  its  ponderous  granite  columns, 
where  now  the  United  States  Trust  Co.  has  the  oldest  building  on  this  block  at  Nos. 
45-47. 

.  No.  49 — The  Atlantic  Mutual  Insurance  Co.  This  very  popular  build- 
ing replaced  the  substantial  four-story  building  of  this  old-established  company. 
It  is  occupied  by  many  of  the  most  prominent  law  firms  in  New  York,  and  also 
houses  the  Metropolitan  Trust  Co.  and  the  banking  firm  of  Clark,  Dodge  &  Co. 
In  the  rooms  of  the  latter  is  a  very  large  collection  of  framed  prints  of  old  New 
York  which  form  a  very  attractive  feature.  One  of  them  shows  the  building 
which  stood  at  this  corner  in  1835 — a  rare  view  of  the  "Ruins  of  the  Merchants' 
Exchange"  after  the  disastrous  fire  of  that  year.  Mr.  Clark  also  has  an  interesting 
print  of  1880,  showing  the  whole  block  from  William  to  Broad  Street  and  giving 
the  names  of  the  various  firms  in  each  building. 

No.  55  is  the  National  City  Bank  Building,  occupying  the  whole  block  from 
William  to  Hanover  Street.  This  is  the  well-remembered  Custom  House,  re- 
modelled at  a  very  large  cost  to  meet  the  requirements  of  this  greatest  of  all  New 
York's  great  banking  institutions,  and  providing  several  floors  of  offices  for  many 
prominent  brokers.  This  was  originally  the  Merchants'  Exchange,  built  to  replace 
the  much  smaller  building  which  was  destroyed  by  the  fire  of  1835,  and  which  oc- 
cupied only  half  of  the  block.  It  was  regarded  as  the  greatest  architectural 
triumph  of  the  day.  The  granite  columns,  each  formed  from  a  single  block, 
weighed  forty-five  tons  each.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  met  here,  also  the 
Board  of  Brokers.  The  cost  was  more  than  one  million  dollars,  and  it  is  said  to 
have  been  a  losing  venture,  notwithstanding  the  enormous  rents  of  its  rooms. 

At  any  rate,  in  1862  the  Federal  Government  purchased  the  property  and 
established  the  Custom  House  here,  where  it  remained  until  the  completion  of  the 
present  beautiful  building  at  the  foot  of  Broadway,  the  same  site  it  occupied  a 
hundred  years  ago.  Mr.  J.  Stillman  has  been  an  assiduous  collector  of  all  old  prints 
illustrating  this  neighborhood  from  the  earliest  periods,  and  on  an  upper  floor  of 
the  building  Mr.  Percy  R.  Pyne  2nd  has  a  number  of  his  old  New  York  prints 
relating  to  this  neighborhood  hanging  on  the  walls  of  his  office. 

Nos.  59-61.  This  building  was  erected  about  tlie  same  time  as  the  Morgan 
Building,  and  they  were  the  two  most  prominent  structures  on  Wall  Street  for 
years.  Two  stories  have  been  added  since  it  was  first  built;  Brown  Brothers,  the 
bankers,  have  been  here  for  the  whole  period. 


[117] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Nos.  63-65 — The  Sampson  Building.  Is  a  modern  structure.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  block  to  Pearl  Street  has  not  been  altered  for  a  long  time.  Below 
Pearl  Street  are  several  modern  buildings:  the  Orient  at  No.  71-75,  and  the  Fed- 
eral Building  at  No.  91,  which  occupies  the  site  of  the  famous  Merchants'  Coffee 
House  of  the  olden  time.  Later  this  was  the  original  warehouse  of  I.  N.  Phelps, 
predecessor  of  the  great  firm  of  Phelps,  Dodge  &  Co.  We  have  a  very  fine  print 
of  this  in  the  Peabody  Views,  showing  the  surrounding  shipping  at  the  docks 
with  the  sign  of  INIr.  Phelps  over  the  entrance.  The  building  caught  fire  and  an 
explosion  of  the  stock  of  chemicals  wrecked  it  completely.  There  is  a  very  rare 
lithograph  depicting  this  scene,  in  which  is  shown  a  dead  body  being  car- 
ried away  from  the  scene.  As  Mr.  Phelps  was  the  only  one  known  to  have  lost  his 
life,  this  print  has  a  gruesome  fascination.  It  is  owned  by  the  New  York  Historical 
Society  and  is  said  to  be  unique. 

The  remainder  of  this  side  of  Wall  Street,  which  is  here  restored  to  the  width 
originally  intended,  remains  the  same  as  it  has  been  known  for  years.  The  great 
Sugar  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  practically  occupy  the  whole  block  from  Front 
to  South  Street  in  substantial  buildings,  a  few  of  the  old  ones  only  remaining. 
And  with  the  disappearance  of  the  well-known  old  ferry-house,  and  the  surround- 
ing forest  of  masts  and  spars  of  the  sailing  vessels  of  the  past,  which  had  always 
been  a  characteristic  feature  of  this  locality,  an  entirely  modern  flavor  has  replaced 
all  that  can  be  shown  of  the  past. 


[118] 


CHAPTER  III 


THE  MAIN  STREET  IN  OUR  VILLAGE :  BROADWAY 

Long  before  the  white  man  came,  Broadway  was  already  in  existence.  It 
seems  to  have  been  one  of  those  thoroughfares  that  Nature  herself  makes.  As  an 
Indian  trail,  it  led  up  from  the  pebbly  shore  where  is  now  the  Battery,  climbed 
the  steep  hill  that  faced  the  Bay  and  wound  its  way  to  the  northward.  Some- 
times it  deviated  a  little,  but  always  it  retraced  its  course  and  continued  in  the 
same  general  direction — northward.  For  a  time  it  threatened  permanently  to  fol- 
low the  eastward  course,  up  the  present  Park  Row,  but  that  was  only  to  avoid 
the  high  hills  just  beyond  Vesey  Street,  and  further  north,  the  Collect  Pond. 
This  obstruction  compelled  a  long  detour  through  the  Bowery  to  the  farm  of 
Petrus  Stuyvesant  at  Third  Avenue  and  12th  Street.  From  that  point  it  skirted 
westward  through  Fourth  Avenue,  which  begins  here,  crossed  what  is  now  Union 
Square  to  17th  Street,  joined  the  Bloomingdale  Road  at  that  point  and  resumed  its 
interrupted  northerly  course. 

With  the  exception  of  Broadway  all  the  Dutch  streets  below  Wall  Street  are 
narrow,  tortuous  paths  surveyed  and  laid  out  originally  by  bovine  instinct.  Broad- 
way, however,  was  destined  to  be  great  from  the  first.  The  Dutch  called  it  "De 
Heere  Straat" — The  Great  Common  Road,  or  the  Broad  Wagon  Way.  And  the 
English  called  it  "The  Broad  Way."  From  the  beginning  it  held  a  peculiar 
prominence  arising  from  no  other  cause  than  its  own  dignity  and  impressiveness. 
Pearl  Street,  Wall  Street,  Pine  Street,  Greenwich  Street  and  many  other  streets 
seemed  destined  at  one  time  or  another  to  become  New  York's  most  famous  thor- 
oughfare, but  Broadway  heeded  not.  The  shores  along  the  East  River  front  were 
populous  and  busy.    The  commerce  of  the  growing  City  clustered  thick  around 


[121] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


the  water  fronts,  east  and  west,  and  Broadway  seemed  far  away.  It  was  in  the 
middle  of  the  town,  too  remote  from  either  shore  to  give  a  hint  of  its  future  great- 
ness. 

But  right  here,  let  us  review  the  beginning  of  Broadway.  Fort  Amsterdam  is 
at  the  very  foot.  The  water  came  right  up  to  the  Fort  in  those  days.  The  present 
Custom  House  is  now  on  the  same  spot.  The  streets  that  to-day  lie  beyond  the 
Custom  House  all  the  way  down  to  the  Staten  Island  Ferry,  and  the  whole  of  Bat- 
tery Park,  have  been  added  since  that  time.  So  Broadway,  leading  from  the  Fort, 
naturally  became  our  first  main  travelled  road,  going  north.  Even  before  the  Fort 
was  built  some  traders  occasionally  stopped  here  for  a  few  weeks  at  a  time  and  they 
built  a  few  huts  on  the  same  place.  When  Adrian  Block  was  here  in  1613,  his  ves- 
sel, the  Tiger,  burned  to  the  water's  edge.  He  spent  the  winter  in  New  York  and 
he,  too,  selected  Broadway  for  his  company's  quarters.  There  is  a  tablet  on  the 
building,  No.  39,  telling  of  his  visit  and  of  the  fact  that  he  contrived  to  build  a  new 
ship  while  here  which  he  called  the  Restless.  Broadway  was  therefore  the  scene  of 
the  first  shipyard  ever  erected  in  the  city,  and  that  was  more  than  a  dozen  years  be- 
fore the  Dutch  finally  decided  to  settle  here  permanently. 

For  nearly  two  centuries  a  fort  of  some  kind  always  stood  here.  Under  the 
Dutch  it  was  called  Fort  Amsterdam.  When  the  English  took  it  in  1664,  they 
changed  the  name  to  Fort  James,  after  the  Duke  of  York.  When  it  again  came 
into  the  hands  of  the  Dutch  in  1673,  they  in  turn  called  it  Fort  William  Hendrik 
and  the  City  they  named  New  Orange,  after  the  Prince  of  Nassau.  When  it  finally 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  English  to  be  retained  by  them  till  the  Revolution,  it 
was  called  successively,  Fort  William,  Fort  Ann  and  finally  Fort  George.  Dur- 
ing the  Revolution,  the  British  added  a  redoubt  to  the  Fort  and  erected  thereon 
a  battery  of  guns  for  defense  against  an  attack  by  sea.  And  this  gave  the  name 
"Battery"  to  the  site,  which  strangely  has  endured  long  after  the  Fort  has  been 
forgotten.  AYlien  the  Revolution  was  over,  the  Fort  was  finally  razed  to  the 
ground  and  on  its  site  was  erected  an  imposing  structure  designed  to  house  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  the  Congress,  for  New  York  was  the  Federal 
Capital.  Washington  never  occupied  the  building,  however,  as  the  Capital  was 
changed  the  next  year  to  Philadelphia.  This  building,  which  was  known  as  Gov- 
ernment House,  was  taken  down  in  1815  and  the  land  sold  to  private  persons  who 
erected  thereon  a  row  of  brick  houses,  very  imposing  and  costly  for  those  days,  and 
the  block  was  called  Battery  Place.  It  became  a  very  fashionable  street.  Many 
New  Yorkers  can  recall  these  houses  in  tlie  days  of  their  adversity  as  "Steamship 
Row."  They  were  removed  not  many  years  ago  to  make  room  for  the  present  Cus- 
tom House.  And  so  this  historic  spot  of  ground  which  was  Government  property 
at  the  beginning  has  once  again  come  into  the  possession  of  the  Government  and  is 
used  for  Government  purposes. 

The  region  of  the  Fort  in  Dutch  days  and  its  immediate  vicinity  was  evidently 
the  center  of  such  social  and  political  life  as  then  existed.  We  find  there  the  resi- 
dences of  the  Provincial  Secretary,  Domine  Megapolensis,  the  first  Dutch  mini- 
ster to  settle  permanently  here,  and  two  of  the  leading  taverns  of  the  day — Peter 


[122] 


MANY  A  MAN  OF  TO  DAY  CAN  RKCAI.L  SITTING  UP  WITH  THt  DRlVtR 
ON  THE  OLD  STAGES  AND  PAYING  HIM  THE  FARE.  INSTEAD  OF 
DROPPING  IT  IN  THE  BOX  THIS  WAS  HIS  PERQUISITE  THE  FLOOR 
WAS  COVERED  WITH  STRAW  AND  YOU  PULLED  THE  STRAP  TWICE 
WHEN  YOU  WISHED  TO  ALIGHT  THERE  WERE  MANY  LINES  THROUGH- 
OUT THE  CITY  AND  FOR  HALF  A  CENTURY  WERE  A  PICTURESQUE 
SIGHT 

FROM  Till  PRIVATE  COLLECTION  OF  FRtDERICK  E.  OIlTi 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


Koch's,  which  stood  on  No.  1,  and  later  that  of  Martin  Krieger.  The  open  sphere 
or  plain  in  front  of  the  Fort  was  used  as  a  parade  ground  and  witnessed  the  re- 
turn of  Peter  Stuyvesant's  army  so  humorously  portrayed  by  Washington  Irving 
in  "Diedrich  Knickerbocker." 

The  old  parsonage  of  Domine  Megapolensis  later  became  the  property  and 
residence  of  Balthazar  Bayard,  a  relative  of  Governor  Stuyvesant.  He  erected  a 
brewery  on  the  premises  near  the  river  shore,  access  to  which  was  by  a  lane  from 
the  present  line  of  Morris  Street.  Mr.  Bayard  died  in  1699.  His  representatives 
and  heirs  in  1726  sold  the  property  to  Augustus  Jay,  ancestor  of  the  distinguished 
family  of  that  name.  It  later  became  the  site  of  the  Stevens  House,  and  where 
Delmonico  opened  the  first  of  his  famous  restaurants. 

On  the  site  near  the  corner  of  the  present  INIorris  Street  was  the  first  public 
burying  ground  established  by  the  city,  which  at  the  termination  of  Dutch  rule  was 
quite  full  of  the  graves  of  early  settlers  whose  bones  were  ruthlessly  thrown  out  by 
later  excavations. 

For  many  years  a  public  market  occupied  the  site,  and  in  1651  a  great  annual 
Cattle  Fair  was  established,  to  be  held  between  October  25th  and  the  first  week 
in  November.  During  this  period  no  one  could  be  arrested  for  debt,  and  this  no 
doubt  had  much  to  do  with  its  popularity,  as  it  continued  for  nearly  thirty  years. 
Another  market  was  subsequently  built  on  Broadway — the  Oswego — in  1738,  near 
Iviberty  Street.  It  had  a  tendency  to  lower  values  in  the  neighborhood  by  reason 
of  unsightly  and  cheap  buildings,  which  grew  up  around  it,  and  the  Common  Coun- 
cil finally  decreed  its  removal  to  the  foot  of  Dey  Street.  From  this  location  it 
moved  slightly  north  and  eventually  became  Washington  INIarket,  of  the  present 
day. 

Under  the  English  the  Fort  was  greatly  improved  and  enlarged.  The  "El- 
lipse" or  oval  space  in  front  was  enclosed  by  a  fence  and  paths  laid  out,  and  in  1732 
the  whole  turned  over  to  the  use  of  the  public  as  a  park. 

A  little  later,  in  1745,  the  TV eehly  Post  Boy  contains  the  following  announce- 
ment: 

"The  Bowling  Green,  near  the  Fort, 
being  to  be  new  laid  with  the  TurfiF, 
and  rendered  lit  for  Bowling,  this 
summer.    Whoever  inclines  to  do 
that  service,  may  leave  their  Pro- 
posals with  the  Printer  hereof." 

Bowling  Green  is  therefore  the  oldest  Park,  and  the  City  Hall,  the  second. 
The  land  on  which  the  City  Hall  now  stands  was  always  City  property,  or  "Com- 
mon Lands."  They  were  first  used  for  pasture  lands,  then  for  general  public  meet- 
ings, and  were  known  as  the  "Fields"  or  "Commons." 

Broadway  lay  on  a  ridge  and  the  land  sloped  to  either  side.  For  nearly  a 
century  it  was  effectually  ended  at  Trinity  Church  by  the  stockade  erected  at 
Wall  Street.  By  and  by  the  town  grew  and  the  cattle  needed  more  room;  they 
were  then  driven  out  to  pastures  through  the  land  gate  to  the  "Common  Land," 
now  the  City  Hall  Park,  and  no  one  saw  any  significance  in  the  fact  that  Broad- 


[125] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


way  was  the  route  selected.  It  was  the  line  of  least  resistance  and  thus  early 
showed  its  utility. 

By  and  by  the  stockade  was  removed.  After  the  removal  of  the  stockade,  an 
association  of  shoemakers  purchased  about  16  acres  of  land  on  Broadway,  extend- 
ing from  about  Maiden  Lane  to  Ann  Street.  They  had  a  tannery  at  the  junction 
of  Maiden  Lane  and  William  Street,  This  tract  was  long  known  as  the  "shoe- 
makers' pasture."  One  of  its  principal  figures  was  John  Harberding,  after  whom 
John  Street  was  named.  He  lived  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Maiden  Lane. 
He  acquired  considerable  property,  a  goodly  portion  of  which  he  left  to  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church  on  Nassau  Street,  which  it  still  enjoys. 

North  of  the  shoemakers'  pasture  was  a  sort  of  country  resort  known  as  the 
Spring  Garden.  A  small  tavern  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  St.  Paul  Building 
which  afterwards  became  Hampden  Hall,  headquarters  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty. 
In  a  later  day,  the  site  was  occupied  first  by  Barnum's  jNIuseum  in  1840,  the  Her- 
ald Office  in  1859,  and  finally  the  present  St.  Paul  Building. 

Wells  and  pumps  existed  in  the  middle  of  Broadway  as  late  as  1806. 

During  the  intervals  which  ensued  in  the  extension  of  Broadway  to  the  north, 
several  of  the  side  streets  were  opened.  Cortlandt  Street  was  opened  from  Broad- 
way to  the  river  in  1736.  The  first  sale  of  a  lot  in  this  street,  size  25  x  126, 
brought  $130.00.  A  plot  of  5  acres  adjoining  Cortlandt  Street  was  owned  by 
Tunis  Dey  which  fronted  on  Broadway  and  on  which  stood  the  first  suburban  tav- 
ern, the  Blue  Boar,  in  1670.  This  type  of  roadhouse  afterward  became  very  popu- 
lar in  the  outskirts  of  the  town  and  in  fact  all  through  the  country.  At  the  time  of 
the  Blue  Boar  establishment,  it  was  the  first  of  its  kind,  and  was  distinctly  outside 
the  "city  limits,"  which  were  then  defined  by  the  stockade  at  Wall  Street. 

Several  other  taverns  in  Broadway  achieved  such  fame  as  to  warrant  their 
preservation  in  history.  Chief  of  them  all  was  undoubtedly  Burns'  Coffee  House, 
which  looms  large  in  the  history  of  Broadway  during  the  stirring  times  that  pre- 
ceded the  Revolution.  It  was  erected  on  the  site  of  Etienne  De  Lancey's  house, 
at  what  is  now  115  Broadway.  The  Holland  Society  has  erected  a  bronze  tablet  on 
the  building  to  commemorate  the  site.  This  tavern  had  its  chief  distinction  as  the 
headquarters  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  one  of  the  numerous  organizations  formed 
throughout  the  Colonies  to  combat  the  growing  abuses  of  the  English  Govern- 
ment. The  meeting  to  express  opposition  to  the  Stamp  Act  was  held  here  in  1765 
and  the  correspondence  with  the  disaffected  section  of  the  Colonies  was  conducted 
from  this  place.  Members  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  included  most  of  our  influential 
citizens,  many  of  whom  were  later  to  become  prominent  as  leaders  in  the  actual 
Revolution,  and  two  as  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  The  Sons 
were  in  frequent  conflict  with  the  English  authorities,  and  one  of  the  encounters 
gave  rise  to  a  small  scrimmage,  which  has  since  been  referred  to  as  the  "Battle  of 
Golden  Hill,"  where  the  first  blood  was  shed  for  the  Revolution.  This  encounter 
took  place  at  about  the  corner  of  John  and  William  Streets,  then  known  as  Gold- 
en's  Hill. 

JNIeanwhile,  the  Common  Lands  or  "The  Fields"  was  the  scene  of  much  ex- 


[126] 


"&tramril)ip  ?Rinii"  in  ita  |Ialmi|  SJaiia 

BOWMNG  GREEN.  THE  MOST  FASHIONABLE  ROW  OF  HOUSES  IN  NEW 
YORKIN  IB30  SMOKEFROMTHEGREATFIREOF1835RUINEDTHE 
DRAPERIES  AND  TARNISHED  THE  SILVER,  DAVID  AUSTIN  LIVED 
HERE  IN  35  LATER,  THE  FOLLOWING  FAMILIES  OCCUPIED  THE 
ROW-FROM  LEFT  TO  RIGHT:  PETER  REMSEN,  FERDIN  AN  D  SUY  DAM . 
JOHN  GIHON,  COMMODORE  VANDERBILT.  ELISHA  RIGGS  AND 
STEPHEN  WHITNEY  TH  EN  IT  BECAM E  STEAMSHIP  ROW  '  IT  IS  NOW 
SITE  OF  THE  CUSTOM  HOUSE  THIS  STREET  MARKS  THE  NORTHERN 
BOUNDARY  OF  OLD  FORT  AMSTERDAM,  THE  SOUTHERN  PART  ENDING 
AT  WHITEHALL  STREET,  WHICH  WAS  THE  SHORE  LINE  AT  THAT 
TIME  (1664), 

FROM   THt   COLLtCTION   Of  HtSS   AMY  TOWNSCND 


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The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


citement  on  its  own  account.  In  addition  to  the  frequent  altercations  between  the 
soldiers  and  the  Sons  of  Liberty  which  were  many  between  the  years  1766  and 
1776,  the  Conmions  was  the  scene  of  many  public  indignation  meetings  of  one  kind 
or  another.  In  1770  the  citizens  met  to  denounce  the  Mutiny  Act.  In  the  same 
year  no  less  than  three  thousand  persons  assembled  to  erect  an  unusually  strong 
Liberty  pole  on  which  was  inscribed  at  the  top  in  huge  letters  the  word  "Liberty." 
A  contest  ensued  but  no  fatalities  occurred.  A  little  later  a  meeting  in  opposition 
to  the  importation  of  British  goods  was  held  and  a  month  later  a  quantity  of  Brit- 
ish goods  was  seized  as  a  result  of  this  protest  and  was  burned  on  the  Commons. 
Four  years  later,  a  great  meeting  was  held  to  protest  against  the  Boston  Post  Act. 
Then  came  news  of  the  Battle  of  Concord  and  Lexington,  which  convinced  the  peo- 
ple that  war  was  inevitable  and  caused  them  to  make  preparations. 

Finally,  and  this  may  be  said  to  have  ended  one  phase  of  the  "Fields"  exis- 
tence, the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read.  Troops  paraded  to  the  Com- 
mons at  6  o'clock  in  the  evening  under  the  command  of  Washington.  A  hollow 
square  was  formed  at  the  lower  end  of  the  "Fields,"  with  Washington  on  horseback 
in  the  centre.  One  of  his  aides  read  the  precious  document,  and  at  its  conclusion 
three  hearty  cheers  were  given  and  the  crowd  dispersed  to  their  homes.  This  ended 
for  the  time  being  the  function  of  the  "Fields"  as  a  rallying  place  for  the  people. 
When  peace  was  declared,  this  land,  as  we  shall  see,  while  still  preserved  to  the  peo- 
ple, lost  something  of  its  original  character  but  gained  in  another  and  more  digni- 
fied direction. 

The  Liberty  Boys  had  erected  a  pole  on  the  Commons  (The  City  Hall  Park), 
around  which  they  were  wont  to  gather,  and  this  pole  was  an  object  of  considerable 
contention.  It  was  originally  raised  to  express  their  satisfaction  and  gratitude  for 
the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act.  The  authorities  would  remove  it  one  day,  only  to  see 
it  erected  the  next  on  some  other  part  of  the  Commons.  It  served  as  a  rallying 
place  for  the  Sons,  and  in  a  measure  was  the  outward  and  visible  sign  of  an  or- 
ganized opposition  to  the  principle  of  no  taxation  without  representation.  The 
frequent  encounters  with  the  Militia  led  the  Sons  of  Liberty  to  erect  a  pole  of 
their  own  on  private  ground  just  outside  the  limits  of  the  Corporation's  land. 
This  pole  stood  on  the  north  side  just  about  opposite  to  where  the  City  Court  now 
is.  In  addition  to  the  pole,  the  Sons  also  acquired  a  house  on  the  corner  where  the 
St.  Paul  Building  now  stands  which  they  named  Hampden  Hall  after  the  English 
patriot.  Broadway  was  thus  the  scene  of  many  stirring  events  from  Bowling 
Green  to  the  Commons,  the  entire  length  of  its  then  existence.  At  Bowling  Green 
a  statue  of  George  III  had  been  erected  by  a  loyal  people,  but  during  the  war  the 
statue,  which  was  made  of  lead,  was  torn  down,  shipped  to  Litchfield,  Conn.,  and 
then  run  into  bullets  for  the  use  of  the  American  army.  Years  afterwards,  the 
base  on  which  the  statue  rested  was  found  doing  duty  as  a  headstone  for  a  grave 
in  New  Jersey.  It  was  identified  by  the  marks  left  for  the  hoofs  of  the  horse, 
and  removed  to  the  custody  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society. 

Before  the  Revolution,  Broadway  had  given  signs  of  its  manifest  destiny  by 
attracting  not  a  few  of  the  then  prominent  citizens  as  residents.   Among  those  may 


[129] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


be  mentioned  John  Watts,  Judge  Chambers,  JNIajor  Minvielle,  Mrs.  Alexander, 
mother  of  the  Earl  of  Stirling,  William  Peartree  Smith,  Samuel  Verplanck,  the 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Livingston  families.  The  block  on  the  west  side  to  Morris 
Street  escaped  the  devastating  fire  of  1776  and  preserved  its  Colonial  identity  for 
many  years  after  the  Revolution.  There  are  still  among  us  men  who  can  recall  the 
demolition  of  the  old  Kennedy,  Watts  and  Livingston  buildings  to  make  room  for 
the  present  Washington  Building. 

The  fire  of  1776  was  one  of  the  most  destructive  that  ever  visited  the  city. 
The  only  block  on  Broadway  that  was  spared  was  the  one  mentioned  above.  North 
of  Morris  Street,  practically  nothing  is  now  known  of  the  appearance  of  the  street 
as  every  vestige  of  its  character  was  destroyed.  The  fire  was  stayed  by  the  open 
fields  at  St.  Paul's  Chapel  and  the  College  gi'ounds  just  beyond. 

Following  this  fire  a  number  of  shanties  were  erected  temporarily  in  lower 
Broadway  on  the  east  side  and  gave  the  noble  thoroughfare  a  decidedly  poverty 
stricken  appearance.  Their  characters  may  be  imagined  from  the  following  de- 
scriptions of  those  still  standing  in  178.5. 


No. 

37 

Mrs.  Ross 

Grocery  Store 

No. 

39 

S.  Buskirk 

Tinman 

No. 

41 

Mrs.  Lasley 

Shopkeeper 

No. 

,51 

Peter  Ritter 

Jeweler 

No. 

53 

Ben  Haight 

Saddler 

No. 

55 

John  Girdere 

Chandler 

No. 

57 

Henry  Rome 

Store 

No. 

59 

Wm.  Bayley 

Tinman 

No. 

65 

James  Anderson 

Shoemaker 

No. 

67 

John  B.  Dash 

Tin  Store 

No. 

69 

J.  Richardson 

Jeweler 

No. 

71 

Mrs.  Hoffman 

Grocery  Store 

No. 

77 

ISlrs.  Forbes 

Shop  Keeper 

As  an  illustration  of  the  difference  socially  between  the  residents  of  Broad- 
way in  1793  and  the  squatters  who  occupied  the  same  site  with  miserable  wooden 
shacks  only  a  few  years  earlier,  I  quote  a  few  of  the  names  as  recorded  in  the  Tax 
List  of  1793. 


John  Watson 
John  Delafield 
George  Scriba 
Dominick  Lynch 
Brockholst  Livingston 
John  Lawi'ence 
William  Edgar 
Alexander  McComb 
Archibald  Gracie 


Henry  King 

John  Ricket 

James  Watson 

John  Ramsey 

Charles  Wilkes 

Col.  Hem'y  Livingston 

Philip  Henry  Livingston 

Richard  Varick 


[130] 


COPYftlGHT    1913.    H    C  BROWN 


THIS  SHOWS  AN  AFTERNOON  VIEW  OF  LOWER  BROADWAY  IN  1825. 
THE  HOUSES  ON  THE  LEFTWERE  OCCUPIED  BYTHE  KENNEDY.  WATTS 
AND  LIVINGSTON  FAMILIES.  AND  WERE  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  THE 
BEST  TYPE  OF  DWELLING  AT  THAT  TIME,  DURING  THE  REVOLUTION 
SIR  HENRY  CLINTON.  SIR  GUY  CARLETON  AND  GENERAL  LORD  HOWE 
LIVED  IN  NO,  I.  ARNOLD.  THE  TRAITOR.  LIVED  HERE  FOR  A  TIME. 
AND  WASHINGTON  ALSO.  WHILE  THE  PRESIDENTS  HOUSE  WAS 
BUILDING.  THIS  SECTION  WAS  THE  CENTRE  OF  FASHION.  THE 
STREETS  ADJACENT  (BOWLING  GREEN.  STATE  AND  GREENWICH) 
BEING  ALSO  THE  HOMES  OF  THE  WEALTHIER  CLASS  ROBERT  FUL- 
TON DIED  IN  A  HOUSE  IN  THE  REAR  OF  NO  1  THE  COSTUMES. 
CARRIAGES,  ETC  .  ARE  TYPICAL  OF  THE  DAY 

THIS  IS  ONE  OF  THE  FAMOUS  MEGAREY  PRINTS  NOW  RARELY  SEEN. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MH    ROBERT  GOELET, 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


As  we  have  the  Tax  book  for  1793  before  us,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that  all 
the  houses  and  lands  then  existing  on  Broadway  were  assessed  at  only  $85,690, 
and  the  total  tax  collected  amounted  to  less  than  $900.00.  As  the  numbers  have 
changed  since  then,  it  is  not  possible  to  give  exact  comparisons  except  in  a  few  in- 
stances where  the  locations  are  indicated  by  something  else  than  numbers.  The 
corner  of  Rector  Street  and  Broadway  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  Church  and  that 
plot  is  the  same  one  to-day  occupied  by  the  Empire  Building.  It  is  assessed  at 
$600,  and  the  tax  amounts  to  $4.66. 

The  corner  of  Pine  Street  and  Broadway  belonging  to  Richard  Varick  is  as- 
sessed at  $9,000,  and  the  corner  of  Thames  Street  and  Broadway  $10,000. 
Broadway  and  Cedar  Street  is  quoted  at  $6,500.  Three  vacant  lots  below  Wall 
Street  and  presumably  about  25  feet  wide  are  assessed  at  $3,200.  These  figures 
moreover  represent  a  substantial  increase  over  pre-Revolutionary  days  and  main- 
tain the  experience  of  constantly  increasing  values  which  have  ever  been  the  charac- 
teristics of  lower  Broadway. 

In  addition  to  the  destruction  of  490  buildings  by  the  fire  of  1776,  the  whole 
of  the  city  was  in  a  highly  depressed  condition  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  For  almost  eight  years,  it  had  been  constantly  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Its  commerce  was  well  nigh  destroyed;  its  population  had  dwindled  from  25,000 
to  about  12,000.  A  large  part  of  the  town  was  still  in  melancholy  ruins,  and 
Broadway  was  the  chief  sufferer.  No  rebuilding  had  been  attempted.  Gaunt  and 
blackened  walls  lined  all  of  the  downtown  section  and  all  that  remained  of  Trinity 
Church  stood  at  the  head  of  a  once  bustling  thoroughfare  now  silent  and  deserted. 

The  Presbyterian  Church,  a  few  steps  from  Broadway  on  Wall  Street,  was  in 
a  scarcely  more  presentable  condition.  Its  protecting  rail  destroyed,  its  neatly  kept 
garden  a  mass  of  refuse  and  debris,  its  interior  showing  the  effects  of  its  use  as  a 
store  house  for  soldiers,  all  made  it  a  fit  companion  for  Trinity.  Small  reason 
was  it  therefore  that  the  lower  end  of  Broadway  should  be  tenanted  by  nonde- 
scripts and  hucksters,  or  that  property  should  go  begging  at  a  thousand  dollars 
a  lot. 

But  with  the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  British,  and  the  return  of  its 
exiled  citizens,  Broadway  began  to  experience  a  change  in  spirit.  Some  j^ears 
elapsed  however  after  peace  was  declared,  ere  Broadway  got  its  real  start  as  our 
leading  thoroughfare.  Some  little  time  was  required  to  clear  up  the  dumps  and 
squatters  that  had  acquired  locations,  but  when  the  way  was  clear  for  regeneration 
the  work  actively  commenced.  In  a  short  while  society  flocked  to  lower  Broadwaj' 
and  it  became  the  leading  fashionable  quarter  of  the  new-born  city. 

Within  the  next  few  years  the  improvement  was  continued  and  many  first  class 
residences  added.  Among  the  new  comers  we  find  Gen.  Alexander  Hamilton  at  26, 
Nicholas  Low  at  24,  John  Delafield  at  30,  Peter  Jay  Morris  at  36,  Daniel  Ludlow 
at  54,  Judge  Lawrence  at  52,  Herman  Le  Roy  at  66,  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman  at  68, 
Cadwallader  D,  Colden  at  70,  and  Governor  Jay  whose  large  stone  house  was  con- 
sidered the  handsomest  building  on  the  street  and  added  much  to  its  growing  social 
importance  further  up  the  street.    Just  beyond  Trinity  was  opened  the  first  real 


[188] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


hotel  New  York  had  yet  seen.  It  was  tlie  City  Hotel.  For  half  a  century  this 
hotel  was  the  resort  of  fashionable  society.  In  it  the  Assembly  originated  and  all 
the  important  political  dinners  were  held  there.  Leading  Societies,  like  the  Cin- 
cinnati, the  New  York  Historical,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  etc.,  all  had  their 
meetings  here.  Soon  after  the  New  York  Hospital,  occupying  the  blocks  from 
Duane  to  Worth  Streets,  opened  its  doors. 

In  1793  the  street  was  paved  as  far  north  as  Murray  Street  and  sidewalks 
laid.  The  erection  of  handsome  private  residences  on  the  block  now  occupied  by  the 
Astor  House  was  commenced,  owned  by  leading  private  citizens,  among  whom 
were  Walter  Rutherford,  Rufus  King,  Cornelius  Roosevelt,  David  Lydig,  Rich- 
ard Harrison  and  Abijah  Hammond.  The  house  (221)  next  to  the  corner  of 
Vesey  Street  was  owned  by  the  State  of  New  York  in  1802,  and  was  occupied  by 
Aaron  Burr  as  the  official  residence  of  the  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 
Edward  Livingston,  then  Mayor  of  the  City,  occupied  the  adjoining  prem- 
ises (223),  which  were  owned  by  John  Jacob  Astor. 

After  the  Revolution,  the  improvement  of  the  "Fields"  or  Common  Lands  by 
its  enclosure  in  1785  with  a  post  or  rail  fence  was  the  first  step  toward  the  more 
exclusive  condition  of  a  Park.  This  was  in  keeping  with  the  general  and  rapid 
improvement  of  this  part  of  Broadway,  and  the  custom  of  allowing  cattle  and  other 
animals  to  roam  at  will  upon  the  green  was  out  of  all  keeping  with  the  changed 
condition  of  things.  In  due  time  the  post  and  rail  fence  was  superseded  by  one 
of  wooden  palings,  which  finally  in  1816  gave  way  to  a  substantial  railing  which 
was  erected  with  due  ceremony  and  public  recognition  of  the  event.  In  this  con- 
nection I  might  mention  that  a  portion  of  the  present  enclosure  was  part  of  the 
negro  burying  ground  which  extended  north  across  Chambers  to  Reade  Street  in 
its  early  days. 

From  this  time  on  the  progress  of  Broadway  has  been  continuous  and  rapid. 
Up  to  the  time  of  the  Revolution  it  could  not  be  said  to  have  ranked  in  importance 
with  Pearl,  Wall,  Pine,  Broad  or  Beaver  Street,  all  of  which  were  populous  and 
thriving  thoroughfares.  For  many  years,  its  opening,  as  we  have  said,  was  halted  at 
Vesey  Street,  and  as  late  as  1789  there  were  no  houses  on  it  north  of  this  street, 
though  it  had  been  opened  as  far  as  Duane  Street  and  received  a  new  name — 
Great  George's  Street,  a  name  which  it  retained  for  over  thirty  years.  After  pass- 
ing Canal  Street,  its  development  was  rapid;  it  followed  the  course  mapped  out 
by  the  Commissioners  in  1807  and  soon  reached  the  "Tulip  Tree"  on  Union 
Square.  Houses  sprang  up  on  both  sides  as  if  by  magic  and  retail  shops  soon  de- 
serted the  waning  fashionable  section  of  Pearl  Street  and  Chatham  Square  for  the 
more  pretentious  establishments  on  the  now  fast  growing  and  more  metropolitan 
Broadway.  On  all  the  Island,  there  was  no  street  so  generously  wide,  so  hand- 
somely adorned  with  magnificent  shade  trees  as  Broadway.  Pearl  Street,  which  for 
years  had  been  the  leading  retail  thoroughfare,  was  originally  a  shore  road 
skirting  the  river,  and  when  the  streets  were  extended  beyond  that  point,  the  width 
was  made  in  conformity  to  the  regularly  accepted  measurements  of  the  day,  which 
were  soon  seen  to  be  wholly  disproportionate  to  the  needs  of  the  growing  com- 


[  134  ] 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


munity.  The  great  fire  of  1835  had  also  much  to  do  with  the  decline  of  Pearl 
Street,  and  the  rise  of  its  rival.  Overlooking  the  possibilities  of  the  new  street,  and 
relying  upon  its  past  reputation,  owners  of  property  in  Pearl  Street  demanded 
exorbitant  rents,  and  as  the  lower  part  of  town  had  been  practically  denuded  of 
houses  and  stores,  the  landlords  expected  to  reap  a  rich  harvest.  Profiting  by  this 
condition  and  aided  by  its  natural  superiority,  Broadway  soon  wrested  supremacy 
from  Pearl  Street,  Chatham  Square  and  Catherine  Street,  as  the  retail  shopping 
centres  and  has  retained  it  ever  since.  Curiously  enough,  some  of  the  old-time  lead- 
ers in  this  erstwhile  fashionable  section  who  moved  to  Broadway  at  that  time,  re- 
mained there  till  quite  recently.  At  the  present  time  of  writing,  Broadway  as  a 
retail  centre  has  been  compelled  to  divide  honors  with  Fifth  Avenue,  although  still 
retaining  a  very  large  and  important  section  of  retail  business.  In  its  endless 
array  of  other  costly  enterprises,  wholesale  houses,  office  buildings,  hotels,  theatres, 
etc.,  it  has  more  than  made  up  what  it  has  lost  to  Fifth  Avenue. 

Unhappily  pictures  of  Broadway  in  its  early  stages  are  exceedingly  rare.  At- 
tached to  an  old  deed  of  sale  of  lots  near  Morris  Street  in  Dutch  days,  there  is 
an  authentic  picture  of  the  character  of  the  house  in  existence  at  that  time.  Next 
to  that  come  some  excellent  drawings  by  Bennett,  Megary  and  Maverick,  and 
still  later  a  series  of  advertising  views  by  Jones  and  Newman,  now  of  exceeding 
value.  Another  series  of  similar  character  by  Tallis,  engraved  on  steel  but  rather 
small,  are  also  interesting,  and  last,  but  by  no  means  least,  are  the  lithographed 
show  cards  published  by  W.  T.  Stephenson  &  Co.  in  the  fifties.  These  are  of  gen- 
erous size  and  although  primarily  designed  as  commercial  works,  they  nevertheless 
delineate  the  buildings,  costmnes,  vehicular  traffic  and  other  street  accessories  cor- 
rectly and  clearty.  In  this  connection,  it  is  not  without  interest  to  record  the  fact 
that  these  old  prints  of  Broadway  are  now  so  eagerly  sought  for  by  collectors  that 
their  price  has  soared  far  beyond  the  reach  of  the  ordinary  pocketbook.  A  Ste- 
phenson, for  instance,  readily  brings  about  $1,200  to  $1,800  according  to  its  con- 
dition, while  the  view  of  lower  Broadway  owned  by  Mr.  Percy  Pyne  2nd  is  the 
only  one  known  to  exist  and  is  therefore  unavailable  at  any  price.  Mr.  Robert 
Goelet,  Mr.  Herbert  Lee  Pratt,  Mr.  I.  N.  Phelps  Stokes,  are  also  known  to  re- 
joice in  the  possession  of  prints  of  which  no  other  copies  are  known  to  exist. 
Other  collections  of  old  New  York  prints  are  owned  by  Mr.  Simeon  Ford,  Mr. 
E.  W.  C.  Arnold,  Mr.  J.  Clarence  Davies,  Mr.  J.  N.  Golding,  Mr.  Robert  E. 
Dowling  and  others. 

The  Broadway  views  by  Jones  &  Newman  were  originally  published  at  25c. 
each  in  four  parts.  A  complete  set  is  easily  worth  $500  to-day.  They  are  the  most 
interesting  views  of  Broadway  in  the  fifties  extant.  Each  block  on  both  sides  is 
shown  from  the  Battery  to  Duane  Street  and  from  them  it  is  easy  to  trace  the 
gradual  encroachment  of  business  into  this  street.  First  came  the  retail  stores,  soon 
to  be  followed  by  the  wholesale.  In  our  own  time  we  have  seen  the  purely  commer- 
cial supplanted  by  the  purely  financial  in  the  same  section  covered  by  Jones  & 
Newman  and  again  we  are  reminded  of  the  competition  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  of 


[137] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


to-day  with  the  Broadway  of  yesterday  by  the  recurrence  of  old  familiar  firms,  all 
leading  concerns  in  lower  Broadway  in  the  fifties. 

Late  in  the  fifties,  photography  began  its  commercial  career  and  the  pictures 
of  Broadway  from  that  date  on  are  more  numerous  and  the  record  of  the  street 
development  from  that  period  is  more  comijlete.  There  are  still  quite  a  num- 
ber of  old  residences  transformed  into  business  buildings  standing  on  Broadway, 
most  of  them  unaltered  as  to  fronts  and  only  slightly  changed  inside.  Between  the 
City  Hall  Park  and  14th  Street  they  are  quite  numerous  and  with  trifling  alterations 
could  easily  be  made  into  their  original  appearance.  But  the  shade  trees  are  gone, 
the  stages  have  disappeared  and  the  gas  lamp  posts  have  been  replaced  by  electric 
light.  The  awnings  which  formerly  lined  the  road,  from  its  beginning  to  its  end, 
have  likewise  disappeared,  as  have  also  the  hideous  telegraph  poles  with  their  ever- 
increasing  strings  of  wire. 

Before  the  street  cars  came  Broadway  was  the  one  street  in  town  favored  for 
parades.  For  almost  a  century  it  was  unrivalled  in  this  direction.  The  first  im- 
portant exhibition  of  this  kind  occurred  upon  the  arrival  of  Lafayette  to  pay  his 
last  visit  to  America.  The  demonstrations  that  have  followed  since  that  are  too 
numerous  to  mention.  It  is  quite  safe  to  say  that  no  important  public  event,  from 
the  protest  against  the  Stamp  Act  in  1765  down  to  within  a  few  years  ago,  was 
ever  allowed  to  pass  without  a  celebration  on  Broadway  in  the  shape  of  a  parade. 
The  tremendous  expansion  of  the  city  northward  has  however  robbed  Broadway 
of  this  monopoly  and  other  streets,  notably  Fifth  Avenue,  have  succeeded  to  this 
honor.  As  the  parade  era  began  with  a  patriotic  demonstration,  so  it  may  be  said 
to  have  practically  ended  with  another — the  funeral  procession  of  General  Grant. 
Other  imposing  and  impressive  parades  have  since  occurred  from  time  to  time  but 
the  old-time  political  parade,  the  complete  monopolizing  of  the  street  from  the  Bat- 
tery to  the  Square,  long  ago  ceased. 

And  such  parades  as  they  were!  Countless  thouands  still  recall  the  famous 
political  parades  in  the  eighties  which  have  probably  never  been  exceeded  in  num- 
bers and  enthusiasm  in  any  city  in  the  world.  The  rival  political  leaders  reviewed 
the  marchers  either  from  the  balcony  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  or  from  a  stand 
on  Madison  Square,  and  the  length  and  number  of  the  paraders  were  supposed  to 
presage  victory  or  defeat  and  the  effect  on  the  silent  vote  was  supposed  to  be  de- 
cisive. 

In  the  early  fifties,  Broadway,  by  the  erection  of  the  iron  front  building  for 
Benedict  Brothers  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Cortlandt  Street,  set  the  style 
for  business  architecture  for  many  years.  This  was  the  first  of  the  so-called  fire- 
proof ( ?)  buildings  ever  attempted  and  was  a  distinct  improvement  over  the  brown 
stone  and  brick  buildings  hitherto  prevailing.  At  about  the  same  time,  there  was 
erected  in  a  building  so  far  uptown  on  Broadway  as  to  be  almost  in  the  country 
one  of  the  most  daring  innovations  yet  planned  in  architecture — a  passenger  ele- 
vator in  the  new  hotel  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  23rd  Street.  This  latter 
invention  proved  a  success  and  its  use  became  general.  In  the  erection  of  the  first 
skyscraper  at  50  Broadway  in  the  late  eighties,  Broadway  gave  the  first  practical 


[138] 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 


Ulljp  SfamoitH  g'trirklanb  Patnttttg  of  iBroaliiuay  m\h  &t.  Paul's  Qllia^irl:  1820 


A  MOST  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  THIS  SECTION  OF  BROADWAY,  SHOW 
:NG  THE  COUNTRIFIED  AIR  OF  THE  NEIGHBORHOOD.  THE  SMALL 
BRICK  HOUSES  AND  THE  GENERAL  ASPECT  OF  A  VILLAGE  STRICK- 
LAND  S  VIEW  IS  A  CONTEMPORARY  PAINTING  AND  OF  RARE  HIS- 
TORICAL INTEREST  IT  IS  MUCH  FADED  IN  THE  ORIGINAL  AND 
THIS  REDRAFT  IS  BY  E,  JOHNSON  KING 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


demonstration  of  the  success  of  this  new  school  of  architecture  and  its  effect  on  the 
value  of  surrounding  property  was  immediate.  In  conjunction  with  the  elevator, 
the  skyscraper  completed  the  change  in  the  appearance  of  lower  Manhattan.  Late 
in  the  nineties,  strangers  desiring  to  obtain  a  view  of  New  York  from  the  highest 
available  point  were  wont  to  climb  the  steeple  of  Trinity  Church,  then  and  for 
almost  a  hundred  years,  the  most  conspicuous  landmark  on  the  Island.  To-day 
this  steeple  is  completely  lost  in  the  architectural  Matterhorns  that  surround  it  and 
the  original  skyscraper  has  already  been  demolished  to  make  room  for  a  loftier  and 
more  imposing  edifice,  its  modest  ten  stories  being  completely  overshadowed  by  its 
thirty  and  forty  story  neighbors  adjoining.  It  is  doubtful  if  Broadway  in  all  its 
varied  career  ever  contributed  quite  so  much  to  the  wealth  of  the  whole  city  as  when 
it  devoted  part  of  its  valuable  space  to  the  erection  of  an  unsolved  problem  such  as 
the  skyscraper  was  at  that  time. 

Other  changes  were  at  work  about  the  same  time.  The  experiment  of  horse 
cars  had  been  accepted  as  an  improvement  over  stages.  That  was  now  to  be  suc- 
ceeded by  cable  cars  and  they  in  turn  by  underground  trolleys — each  a  step  in 
advance  of  the  other.  They  were  now  to  be  reinforced  by  another  method  of  tran-. 
sit — the  subway.  As  far  back  as  1860,  a  small  section  of  a  subway  had  been  con- 
structed in  Broadway  between  Warren  and  Murray  Streets,  and  in  1873  a  more 
pretentious  underground  system  was  projected  by  a  company  who  issued  a  huge 
lithograph  depicting  their  proposed  line.  Not  until  the  present  electrically  driven 
and  electrically  lighted  system  was  introduced  did  the  public  take  kindly  to  under- 
ground travel,  but  now  the  entire  length  of  Broadway  will  soon  be  traversed  by  this 
means  of  transportation. 

With  these  three  remarkable  advances,  all  of  which  contributed  to  the  welfare 
of  Broadway,  the  street  began  to  change  accordingly.  Every  part  now  became 
readily  accessible  but  the  development  beyond  34th  Street  became  most  marked. 
The  large  number  of  hotels,  theatres  and  restaurants  which  quickly  gathered  along 
its  length  imparted  an  atmosphere  of  cheerfulness  and  gaiety  that  speedily  be- 
stowed upon  that  section  of  the  street  the  sobriquet  of  "The  Great  White  Way." 
To  a  large  section  of  out  of  town  people  that  part  of  Broadway  is  the  most  fas- 
cinating of  all.  Beyond  the  theatrical  district  however  are  immense  offices  devoted 
exclusively  to  a  business  that  a  few  years  ago  was  wholly  unknown — the  automo- 
bile. The  same  colossal  skyscrapers  mark  this  part  of  Broadway  as  elsewhere. 
This  region  formerly  ended  at  the  beginning  of  Central  Park  but  has  already 
streamed  far  beyond  it,  where  we  will  leave  Broadway  for  the  present. 

OLD  PICTURES  OF  BROADWAY 

The  foregoing  section  has  given  a  rather  concise  synopsis  of  the  early  history 
of  this  world's  most  famous  street.  Anything  like  a  complete  story  of  all  the  stir- 
ring events,  changes  of  its  general  appearance,  the  old  residents,  business  enter- 
prises, etc.,  in  connection  with  Broadway,  compiled  from  the  bibliography  already 
at  hand,  and  extended  to  the  nth  dimension  with  the  present  daily  remi- 


[141] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


niscences  of  the  Old  Timer  (even  after  correcting  so  many  of  his  general 
statements),  would  entail  a  work  that  could  easily  put  the  encyclopedia  in  the 
shade. 

Reference  has  heen  made  to  the  old  prints  of  Jones  &  Newman,  Tallis,  Ste- 
phenson, etc.,  as  depicting  a  period  (1850-1865)  when  Broadway  was  supposed  to 
be  at  the  zenith  of  its  greatest  possible  grandeur,  and  in  looking  at  these  pictures 
showing  each  old  building,  with  the  names  of  all  New  York's  leading  merchants,  fa- 
mous hotels,  theatres,  art  galleries,  institutions  of  learning,  the  Hospital,  the  Park, 
etc.,  now  beyond  the  ken  of  even  the  very  oldest  survivors  of  those  days — any  at- 
tempt to  describe  all  the  wonderful  "tran^nmtations  that  have  been  conjured  by  the 
silent  alchemy  of  (fifty)  j'ears"  is  indeed  a  task. 

Notwithstanding  the  accomj)lishments  of  the  modern  photographer,  it  is  im- 
possible to  make  a  picture  of  the  front  of  any  of  the  present  skyscrapers  that 
now  occupy  the  sites  of  these  little  two,  three,  and  four  story  buildings  which  are 
seen  in  the  prints  referred  to.  A  year  or  more  ago  an  attempt  was  made  to  photo- 
graph No.  42  Broadway  straight  up  and  down  from  the  sidewalk.  The  result 
was  anmsing,  at  any  rate;  it  is  the  same  as  that  obtained  by  the  amateur  who  took 
his  friend  seated  on  the  ground  with  his  feet  as  the  prominent  feature  of  the 
foregroimd.  On  the  other  hand  we  are  able  to  get  most  excellent  canon  views 
in  contrast  with  these  older  ones,  and  a  general  skyline  view  of  the  city  made  to-day 
will  show  Broadway  prominently,  but  only  from  about  the  twelfth  story  upward. 
Old  landmarks  such  as  No.  1  Broadway,  Produce  Exchange,  St.  Paul's,  the  Post 
Office,  Bennett  Building,  Benedict  Building,  Astor  House,  St.  John's  and  even 
Broadway  Rouse's  Building,  are  lost  absolutely.  At  any  rate,  everyone  should  be 
familiar  with  the  present  appearance  of  such  structures  as  the  Woolworth,  Sin- 
ger, Equitable,  City  Investing,  Adams  Express  and  United  States  Express 
buildings,  and  as  far  as  possible  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  follow  the  general  evo- 
lution from  the  old  to  the  new. 

Full  mention  has  been  made  of  the  original  beginning  of  the  Broad  Way. 
It  would  seem  that  at  no  time  had  our  forefathers  been  governed  by  the  orthodox 
guidance  of  sticking  to  a  straight  and  narrow  path,  and  undoubtedly  there  are  at 
the  present  very  many  who  believe  from  accounts  they  may  have  read  in  the 
Sunday  supplements  of  the  newspapers  that  the  Broadway  of  to-day  is  really  the 
one  of  which  we  have  been  warned  in  the  Scriptures. 

There  is  a  peculiar  romance  in  the  fact  that  the  greatest  city  in  the  world — 
and  at  the  same  time  we  might  say  the  youngest — has  in  its  possession  the  most 
perfect  iconography  that  is  known.  This  undoubtedly  is  the  reason  that  one,  with- 
out realizing  it  to  be  so,  finds  such  absolute  enjoyment  in  reading  about  its  early 
beginnings,  and  especially  in  looking  at  the  reproductions  of  those  early  views 
which  we  know  now  to  be  absolutely  contemporary  and  at  the  same  time  are  proven 
to  be  accurate.  But  how  many  do  really  know,  or  consider,  when  they  visit  the 
beautiful  Custom  House  on  Bowling  Green,  what  a  fund  of  information  there  is 
available  regarding  this  historic  spot,  unknown  to  the  world  just  three  hundred 
years  ago,  but  of  which  we  have  always  at  hand  a  complete  and  unbroken  record, 


[142] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.    H.  C,  BROWN 


^itp  of  g'tanJiarb  ®tl  luiliiing,  1343 


ilSOSESE,  OS  COAL  OH! 

»JE««iLKJ>  BY  PA*aW«« 


X  XAOIM)  YHQH  t HIS  OIL.' 


1<HB  UOBV.  OB- 
.  .  JlU  be  tioaad  t*  tXMWltM 
>i  oil  or  Uquid  berMoTpi  o  know  n  tv  th«  pnMui. 
ThliCMl  betas  »  FHHB  DlSTrU.ATION  F&OK  COAL. 
•  iUM>MUM>diDlxUn«orta>LBiT8  Of  tt'&PKHri.tK  or  A.U 
'  ^«anuitc4  t»  ba  not  ujiImIvo.  IKdUSfHOM 
"  allow  it  W  b«  ||H<  «lthuat  idUitioniii  pciomava 
rM<l  ar  inj«« nvcU  at  uWkt.  wlU tediiA 


BOIfaU.  aiMtLIOBT  BOO<«^«hto«U)aa«y<rt«M|«allW. 


an  ireeoflUiiaiiqMl  as  tlio  baii  AAayiaA^lo  Ilka  p>a^ 

li«r  ^Tklet'of  tb«  oil,  oaeikmp  alrlatf  a  UvM  aqoal  to  tifV 

»li  foot  Kaa  burnera. 

Thtt  ull  call  b«  aiM  IR  CAVPRKKR  and  SVLTtC  OQa 
I.AV1'>!,  •«<)  on  ti«  ndaplad  lo  CbBndcllan  tot  SSOtKUL 
COUIfTKT  RVKIDRNCltH,  »ad  «Tk;,\\.KR?i. 

Th*  aiaal  <ti<yoai>t  to  wbn.i^ie  (IvHlora. 

TBS  BosTn  A.iubiUAN  ithnonKunt  tmurJMt,  J 


SITE   OF  26    BROADWAY.  AS  A   COAL   AND   WOOD  YARD       IN  i; 
THE  TOWN  RESIDENCE  OF  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON  WAS  HERE 
THE  LEFT  IS  THE  FIRST  ADVERTISEMENT  OF  KEROSENE  OIL  AS 
ILLUMINANT.  PUBLISHED  IN  1853 

FROM   THE   COLLECiroN   OF   MH    WILLIAM  ROCKLFELLtR 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


of  documents  and  prints,  covering  the  entire  period  of  its  history — from  the  verit- 
able cradle  of  this  great  city.  For  here  it  was  New  York  was  born,  and  from  here 
the  Broad  Way  was  first  started  on  its  wonderful  career — practically  from  the 
water's  edge,  for,  as  explained  before,  every  bit  of  the  present  city  south  of  the 
Custom  House  is  made  ground. 

The  first  house  built  of  brick — brought  over  from  Holland — was  erected  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  present  Custom  House,  and  while  excavating  the  foun- 
dations here,  they  came  upon  the  hull  of  an  old  ship  left  on  the  beach  there  in  the 
early  days. 

Nos.  1-3  Broadway:  The  Washington  Building.  This  building  has  re- 
tained a  most  peculiar  prestige  ever  since  its  erection  in  the  early  80's ;  it  is  doubt- 
ful if  there  is  any  business  address  in  New  York,  even  to-day,  that  is  so  well 
known,  and  they  do  say  that  the  tenants  there  are  the  same  that  moved  in  when 
the  building  was  opened — notwithstanding  the  wonderful  attractions  since  offered 
in  newer  and  more  up-to-date  structures.  Apart  from  the  delightful  historical 
reminiscences  referred  to,  this  was  really  the  pioneer  skyscraper  of  the  modern 
city,  and  before  tlie  erection  of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  returning  tourists  from 
Europe,  and  i)articularly  New  Yorkers,  felt  the  first  thrill  of  homecoming  Avhen 
the  CjTus  Field  Building  (as  it  was  first  known)  loomed  up  to  greet  them.  Soon 
after,  the  present  Produce  Exchange  was  added  to  the  skyline  and,  of  course,  dear 
old  Trinity  had  some  show  in  the  view  presented.  A  restaurant  on  the  roof  of  this 
building  (probably  the  pioneer  of  its  kind)  for  many  years  was  one  of  its  greatest 
attractions.  The  entrance  to  the  building,  on  the  corner,  consisted  of  a  brown- 
stone  stoop,  the  posts  surmounted  by  handsome  grilles  and  lanterns,  which  were 
sliced  off  a  few  years  ago,  during  the  campaign  against  sidewalk  encroachments. 

The  old  Kennedy  mansion  on  the  corner,  at  the  time  this  view  was  made,  was 
occupied  by  ex-Mayor  Andrew  H.  Mickle.  Prior  to  its  demolition  to  make  room 
for  the  Washington  Building,  it  had  been  converted  into  a  second-rate  hotel  known 
as  the  Washington.  Nearly  all  of  the  tenants  in  this  building  are  interested  in  the 
coal  and  shipping  trade. 

Nos.  5-11 — The  Bowling  Green  Building.  Known  as  No.  11  Broadway. 
This  is  an  immense  structure  compared  with  No.  1  and  was  erected  many  years 
later — and  occupies  an  equally  interesting  historical  spot.  Here  stood  the  famous 
King's  Arms  Hotel,  afterwards  the  popular  Atlantic  Gardens,  a  building  which  was 
still  standing  when  the  Bowling  Green  structure  was  planned.  Here  was  found, 
while  excavating  for  the  foundations,  the  remains  of  an  old  dock  in  the  rear  on 
Greenwich  Street,  which  we  know  was  the  original  shore  line  of  the  Hudson  River, 
and  so  we  can  well  picture  in  our  minds  what  we  have  read  of  the  secret  landings  in 
the  garden  of  this  historical  tavern,  of  traitors,  spies,  etc.,  etc.  It  was  converted 
into  an  office  building  in  the  early  sixties,  with  some  alterations. 

One  of  the  old  houses  demolished,  No.  5,  was  part  of  tlie  Atlantic  Hotel, 
afterwards  used  as  the  entrance  to  the  Ninth  Avenue  Elevated  Railroad,  which 
many  will  be  able  to  remember.    At  this  period  the  King's  Arms  Tavern  had  be- 


[145] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


come  the  Atlantic  Gardens  (Nos.  O-lll/i) — quite  a  fashionable  resort — where  very 
good  band  concerts  were  given.    No.  7  was  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Gates. 

A  great  many  of  the  steamship  offices  are  now  located  here,  and  the  locality  is 
well  known  to  all  travellers  across  the  sea. 

The  remaining  part  of  this  historical  block  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway  at 
present  is  in  a  transition  stage ;  the  famous  Stevens  House,  extending  to  the  corner 
of  Morris  Street,  is  partially  remaining,  but  will  shortly  be  demolished,  owing  to  the 
demands  of  the  new  subway  which  passes  around  it  and  under  the  Bowling  Green 
on  its  way  to  the  East  River.  The  three  buildings  between  the  Bowling  Green 
Building  and  the  Stevens  House  were  razed  a  year  ago.  One  of  these.  No.  17,  for 
years  was  the  home  of  the  British  Consulate,  and  will  readily  be  recalled  by  the 
two  stone  lions  which  guarded  the  entrance.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  know  that 
Major  John  F.  O'Rourke,  the  engineer-in-chief,  has  had  these  removed  to  his 
place  on  Long  Island.  Originally  it  was  the  home  of  O.  R.  Burnham.  No.  13  was 
Dr.  Kearney's. 

The  remainder  of  this  block,  Nos.  19-27,  was  then  known  as  Delmonico's, 
who  opened  a  restaurant  here  and  which  he  maintained  until  his  removal  to 
the  present  site  at  Beaver  and  South  William  Streets.  The  old  view  shows  Del- 
monico's  name  very  prominently  displayed  on  the  building.  The  shade  trees  in 
Bowling  Green  were  a  prominent  feature  of  this  locality.  It  seems  they  have 
all  disappeared  for  some  reason  or  other,  and  an  odd  sight  to-day  would  be  the 
line  of  old-fashioned  hacks  which  were  always  in  evidence  outside  the  railings  of  the 
Green. 

No.  29 — Corner  of  Morris  Street.  The  Columbia  Building  was  erected  on 
the  small  three-story  house  in  which  lived  Mr.  A.  Townsend,  and  afterward  was 
occupied  by  Dos  Passos  &  Co.,  very  prominent  South  American  bankers.  Sev- 
eral stories  were  added  to  this  a  few  years  ago,  making  it  an  up-to-date  skyscraper. 
IMorris  Street  was  known  as  Beaver  Lane,  a  narrow  path  extending  to  the  Hudson 
River  a  block  away.  Here  was  the  first  burying  ground  in  New  York,  and  just 
above  at  No.  39  the  first  white  man's  house  was  built  on  Manhattan  Island.  On 
this  block  there  are  still  standing  more  of  the  old  buildings  than  an\^'here  else  on 
Broadway  below  Chambers  Street.  Nos.  39  and  41  were  the  INIansion  House,  a  once 
very  popular  hotel;  35  was  Mrs.  Davy's — 33  was  Mrs.  Clarkson's — and  so  on. 

Nos.  41-45 — Aldrich  Court.  This  was  the  first  important  building  erected 
on  this  block.  The  former  buildings  surrounded  a  court,  so  named.  It  is  now 
owned  by  the  Atlas  Line  S.  S.  Co.,  and  is  the  head  office  of  the  Hamburg- Ameri- 
can Line. 

No.  55,  cor.  Exchange  Alley,  is  the  new  up-to-date  Adams  Express  Build- 
ing, into  which  the  Chase  National  Bank  has  lately  moved.  No.  61  was  Judson's 
Hotel.  It  was  here  that  Phalon,  the  popular  barber,  opened  his  first  shop — fol- 
lowed later  by  others  in  all  the  newer  hotels. 

Nos.  63-65.  Just  now  demolished  to  make  room  for  another  giant  building — 
that  of  the  American  Express  Co.  This  and  the  Adams  Express  Building  will 
represent  the  only  radical  changes  that  have  occurred  in  the  block  for  many  years. 


[  146  ] 


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.1331I.T.S  SlllllOK 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


Nos.  67-71 — The  Empire  Building,  owned  by  the  O.  B.  Potter  Estate.  The 
small  buildings  which  were  erected  here,  on  the  site  of  Grace  Chapel,  was  the  ori- 
ginal home  of  the  Union  Trust  Co.,  one  of  the  pioneer  financial  institutions  of 
this  character  in  New  York.  Here  also  were  the  offices  of  Russell  Sage,  brought 
into  notoriety  on  account  of  a  lunatic  having  attempted  to  blow  him  and  the 
whole  building  to  perdition.  The  present  building,  extending  to  Church  Street 
and  looking  over  on  Trinity  Church,  will  always  be  popular  on  account  of  the 
unusually  good  light  thus  secured. 

Trinity  Church — "At  the  head  of  Wall  Street,  and  appropriately  keeps 
watch  and  ward  over  the  street  morals  of  that  Court  of  Mammon."  Replacing 
the  second  church  which  was  demolished  in  1839,  the  present  edifice  being  com- 
pleted in  1849,  when  visitors  might  ascend  to  a  height  of  250  feet  whence  a  mag- 
nificent view  of  the  city  and  surrounding  scenery  could  be  secured.  The  best 
position  from  which  to  view  this  gorgeous  panorama  is  the  battlements  at  the  base 
of  the  spire. 

No.  11 — Trinity  Building.  North  of  the  churchyard — an  imposing  Gothic 
edifice  which  has  replaced  the  famous  old  building,  at  one  time  headquarters  for 
the  coal  people,  prominent  lawyers,  etc.  In  the  basement  was  the  real  estate  sales- 
room of  Peter  F.  Meyer  &  Co.  (Richard  Croker  being  the  company).  The  for- 
mer small  building  was  known  as  Wight's  Hotel,  also  the  New  England  House. 

No.  115 — U.  S.  Realty  Co.'s  Building.  Site  of  New  York's  first  great  ho- 
tel— the  City  Hotel — built  in  1788,  and  according  to  Grant  Thorburn,  who  arrived 
in  New  York  while  it  was  in  course  of  construction,  it  was  the  first  building  in 
America  that  was  roofed  with  slates.  All  the  early  writers  in  their  description  of 
New  York  agree  in  giving  this  famous  hostelry  the  palm  for  grandeur  and  mag- 
nificence. Still,  it  was  only  five  stories  high  and  contained  less  than  one  hundred 
rooms.  At  any  rate,  in  the  view  of  New  York  from  Brooklyn,  1798,  it  is  cer- 
tainly a  prominent  feature  of  the  town.  But  it  was  the  Biltmore  of  its  day  from 
all  accounts,  and  enjoyed  great  prosperity  until  after  the  Civil  War,  when  it  was 
converted  into  stores  and  offices,  and  so  remained  until  1878,  when  it  was  taken 
down,  and  the  magnificent  new  office  building,  the  Boreel,  was  erected  on  the  site. 
This  was  soon  superseded  by  more  important  buildings,  and  was  demolished  about 
1898,  the  space  remaining  vacant  for  a  long  time,  until  an  arrangement  was  ar- 
rived at  with  the  city  to  move  Thames  Street  farther  north,  thus  giving  more  space 
for  the  new  Trinitj'^  Building,  whicli  was  projected  in  connection  with  the  present 
No.  115  Broadway. 

Nos.  135-137 — Corner  of  Cedar  Street:  N.  Y.  Title  &  Trust  Co.  Erected 
on  the  site  of  the  Merchants'  Hotel,  kept  by  Orlando  Fish;  also  the  old  hat  store 
of  F.  H.  Amidon — and  John  Collier,  an  old-time  watchmaker. 

No.  139 — Liberty  Nationai.  Bank  Building.  A  small  building  recently  va- 
cated by  the  bank,  now  located  in  the  Equitable  Building.  The  original  building 
was  occupied  by  the  old  firm  of  Stanford  &  Swords,  book  publishers.  Mr.  Henry 
C.  Swords,  President  of  the  Fulton  Trust  Co.,  is  a  grandson  of  the  member  of  this 
firm  by  that  name. 


[149] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Nos.  141-145 — Corner  of  Liberty  Street.  Now  owned  by  the  Pittsburgh 
Life  Insurance  Co,  This  replaced  the  old  warehouse  of  Bininger  &  Co.,  wine  mer- 
chants, and  the  little  two-story  building  of  Mrs.  G.  Newconibe,  tobacconist. 

Nos  149-163 — The  north  corner  of  Liberty  Street.  Now  occupied  by  the 
Singer  Building  and  Tower.  Until  the  advent  of  the  Woolworth  Building  this  was 
undoubtedly  the  best  known  spot  in  New  York  City,  and  has  been  visited  by  al- 
most every  stranger  in  town.  There  is  a  very  early  view  of  this  location  (1G90) 
which  shows  a  very  small  shanty  occupying  the  site  of  this  great  pile,  with  cattle 
grazing  in  the  adjacent  fields  reaching  down  to  the  Hudson  River  and  an  ox-cart 
turning  down  into  what  is  now  Maiden  Lane.  Fifty  years  ago  this  was  the  great 
booksellers'  centre.  G.  P.  Putnam  was  at  No.  153,  John  Wiley  at  No.  161;  also 
the  office  of  the  Literary  W arid — T.  Oliver,  Reporter  of  Fashion.  The  Good- 
year Rubber  Co.  was  at  No.  159.  This  was  the  site  of  the  Rathbun  House,  an  im- 
portant hostelry  of  those  days,  which  also  had  an  entrance  on  Liberty  Street  and 
Cortlandt  Street.  The  proprietor  afterwards  moved  to  42nd  Street  and  Broad- 
way, where  he  maintained  a  hotel  for  several  years. 

Nos.  165-167 — The  City  Investing  Co.  One  of  the  recent  and  most  im- 
proved buildings  of  the  day,  of  handsome  and  imposing  appearance,  extending  to 
Church  Street,  with  a  very  large  frontage  on  Cortlandt  Street.  The  Broadway 
facade  occupies  part  of  the  site  of  the  old  Rathbun  Hotel.  At  the  corner  of 
Church  Street  and  Cortlandt  now  part  of  this  structure  stood  the  old  Coal  and 
Iron  Exchange,  an  important  building  and  one  of  the  old  landmarks  in  the  sky- 
line. Mr.  Robert  E.  Dowling  has  a  very  interesting  memento  of  the  demolition 
of  this  old  building — the  box  taken  from  the  corner-stone,  containing  the  news- 
papers, coins,  etc.,  of  the  day  it  was  laid. 

Nos.  169-171 — South  corner  of  Cortlandt  Street:  The  Benedict  Build- 
ing. A  very  early  example  of  the  modern  iron  structure  in  New  York — the  im- 
mediate predecessors  of  the  steel  frame  building — still  standing  and  leased  for  a 
long  time  to  the  City  Investing  Co.  to  preserve  its  light  and  air.  The  buildings  re- 
moved for  this  were  two  of  the  very  smallest  of  the  old  Broadway  houses.  No.  169 
was  occupied  by  Peter  Gilsey,  cigars,  who  later  owned  the  new  building  for  a  time, 
and  the  corner  was  Henry  Salisbury  &  Co.'s  jewelry  store. 

No.  173 — North  corner  of  Cortlandt:  Waterman's.  This  old  building 
has  been  occupied  hy  the  fountain  pen  man  for  very  many  years.  Originally  it  was 
the  furnishing  store  of  JNI.  J.  McKinley.  Just  now  it  is  announced  to  have  been 
leased  again  for  a  long  term  to  a  cigar  company. 

Nos.  175-191.  Very  little  changes  have  been  made  in  this  block  for  a  long 
time  except  the  new  low  building  at  the  corner  of  Dey  Street.  Crouch  &  Fitz- 
gerald are  still  at  No.  177.  J.  G.  Wendell  had  his  office  at  No.  181  until  his  death 
quite  recently.  No.  185  was  Milhau's  drug  store  for  a  great  many  years.  Nos. 
189-191,  the  small  new  building,  was  a  subsidiary'  of  the  City  Investing  Co.  Some 
of  the  older  firms  here  were  also  booksellers:  Spalding  &  Shephard  at  1891/2, 
Leavitt,  Trow  &  Co.  at  191 ;  as  also  the  old  auction  house  of  Cooley,  Keese  &  Hill. 

Nos.  193-203 — North  corner  of  Dey:  The  Western  Union  Building.  At 


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The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


this  writing  this  immense  new  structure  is  not  quite  ready  for  occupancy.  Much 
interest  is  manifested  as  to  what  new  wonderful  attractions  are  offered  for  offices 
here.  Announcement  has  been  made  that  they  have  secured  the  property  to  the 
north  on  Broadway,  including  the  Mail  and  Express,  and  that  eventually  the 
building  will  be  extended  to  conform  with  that  just  completed — thus  making  as 
imposing  and  magnificent  a  structure  as  has  yet  been  projected. 

The  building  just  demolished  has  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  inter- 
esting of  any  in  New  York.  Every  one  will  recall  the  daily  ceremony  of  waiting  for 
the  Time  Ball  to  drop  at  midday — and  the  curiosity  on  the  part  of  strangers  as  to 
what  it  all  meant.  A  fire  destroyed  the  tall  cupola  which  originally  carried  the  ball, 
and  in  later  years  it  was  dropped  from  a  mast  erected  on  the  roof,  but  the  mari- 
ners in  the  harbor  for  whose  benefit  it  was  especially  intended  would  look  in  vain 
for  a  sight  of  it  or  even  the  building  itself  to-day. 

And  yet  another  of  the  old  Broadway  hotels  gave  way  for  this  great  modern 
improvement,  now  also  in  turn  sent  to  the  scrap  heap.  The  Franklin  House  en- 
joyed a  great  popularity. 

Newman  &  Co.,  school  books,  were  at  No.  199 ;  Allen  &  Thurber,  guns  and 
pistols,  at  201 ;  also  Lagenbein  &  Beckers,  early  photographers,  who  made  several 
of  the  old  Broadway  views  published  by  Stephenson.  No.  203,  the  present  Mail 
and  Express  Building,  has  stood  there  for  many  years,  but  will  shortly  disappear. 
Here  was  the  music  store  of  Anderson,  who  published  the  popular  Broad- 
way songs,  on  the  front  of  which  were  interesting  old  Broadway  views,  and  the 
last  house  on  the  corner.  No.  207,  was  occupied  by  M.  B.  Brady,  the  photogra- 
pher, who  during  the  Civil  War  procured  innumerable  plates  of  actual  scenes  and 
portraits  of  personages  which  to-day  are  of  the  greatest  value. 

At  Fulton  Street:  St.  Paul's  Church.  No  changes  have  taken  place  in 
this  old  church  or  its  surroundings.  Some  of  the  trees  have  been  cut  down  on  ac- 
count of  old  age,  notably  one  at  the  Vesey  Street  side  which,  tradition  had  it,  was 
used  by  Washington  to  tie  his  horse  to  when  he  rode  there  to  service  from  the  Presi- 
dential Mansion  in  Cherry  Street.  The  pew  in  which  he  sat  is  still  religiously 
pointed  out  to  visitors. 

Nos.  215-225:  The  Astor  House.  Built  in  1832  and  first  called  the  Park 
View  House.  Until  very  recently  this  famous  hotel  remained  the  same,  but  now 
the  southerly  half  has  been  demolished  and  a  moderately  sized  new  building  erected 
in  place  of  it.  The  northerly  half  remains  the  same,  but  unoccupied.  The  old 
stores  were  occupied  by  Bedford  &  Co.,  books;  Leary  &  Co.,  hatters;  Joseph  Chris- 
tadoro,  hair  dresser ;  and  Rushton,  Clark  &  Co.,  druggists. 

Nos.  227-237:  The  Woolworth  Building.  Owned  by  the  Broadway  Park 
Place  Company.  This  new  edifice  is  probably  as  well  known  now  as  any  building 
in  the  world,  and  occupies  an  interesting  historic  part  of  Broadway  in  its  greatest 
days.  In  1726  the  first  rope  walk  was  laid  out  here  when  all  the  surrounding  sec- 
tion was  known  as  the  Commons,  but  in  later  years  became  the  most  fashionable 
and  important  section  of  the  city.  It  was  the  Fifth  Avenue  of  New  York,  lined 
with  the  handsomest  houses  facing  the  beautiful  Park,  adjacent  to  the  theatre,  the 


[158] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


churches,  the  swell  hotels.  At  the  corner  of  Park  Place,  Nos.  227-230,  stood  the 
great  American  Hotel,  but,  as  ever  since,  the  northward  march  of  affairs  left  it 
far  behind  and  relegated  to  business  only.  Philip  Hone's  house  became  a  book- 
store, and  more  tailors  and  furnishing  houses  located  there  than  elsewhere.  Wil- 
liam M.  Tweed  held  court  at  No.  237,  the  Broadway  Bank. 

No.  239 — North  corner  of  Park  Place.  The  original  home  of  the  Society 
of  Merchants  and  Tradesmen,  it  is  still  owned  by  them,  and  was  also  the  music 
store  of  William  Hall  &  Sons.  Not  many  changes  have  taken  place  here  for  many 
years,  except  the  general  disappearance  of  all  the  stoops  and  a  great  many  very  fine 
shade  trees.  No.  241  was  the  store  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Brandreth,  of  pill  fame.  At 
243  Solomon  &  Hart,  upholsterers,  were  still  in  business  in  New  York  until  lately. 
Keppel,  the  print  man,  was  at  No.  245 ;  and  the  very  old  house  of  Ball,  Tompkins 
&  Black  at  No.  247,  now  occupied  by  the  Importers  and  Traders  National  Bank  in 
a  handsome  new  building. 

No.  253 — North  corner  of  Murray  Street^  is  the  property  of  Trinity 
Church  Corporation,  and  possibly  may  never  show  any  change  in  its  appearance. 
Here  was  the  famous  bookstore  of  Charles  S.  Francis. 

Nos.  255-257 — The  Home  Life  Insurance  Co.  A  fine  new  building  which 
replaced  two  of  the  old  houses  occupied  by  architects,  tailors  and  photographers. 

Nos.  258-259.  Rogers,  Peet  &  Co.  have  built  here  a  handsome  building  on  the 
property  of  the  Eugene  Hoffman  Estate.  They  succeeded  to  a  long  line  of  clothiers 
and  outfitters  who  had  always  occupied  this  corner. 

Nos.  261-264 — North  corner  of  Warren  Street,  is  a  modern  building  which 
took  the  place  of  a  large  iron-front  structure  of  a  defunct  fire  insurance  company. 
It  is  the  propert}'  of  the  Gerry  Estate.  Formerly,  Raib,  the  jeweler,  was  on  the 
corner,  and  also  Dr.  Powell,  an  eminent  occulist  of  that  time. 

No.  269 — The  Chemical  Bank.  A  handsome  new  structure  has  taken  the 
place  of  the  Broad waj'  front  shown  in  the  old  view.  The  main  building  is  in  the 
rear  and  occupies  a  large  space  extending  along  Chambers  Street.  The  old  quar- 
ters of  this  famous  institution  are  also  shoAvn  next  door  to  Barnum's  Museum, 
where  it  first  started. 

No.  271 — The  National  Shoe  &  Leather  Bank.  This  is  also  a  more  mod- 
ern building,  replacing  the  original  small  tliree-story  house  which  was  the  original 
store  of  the  present  well-known  Tiffany  &  Co.,  the  firm  then  being  known  as  Tif- 
fany, Young  &  Ellis.  A  few  years  later  they  moved  farther  up  on  Broadway 
near  Prince  Street,  along  with  the  general  trend  northward. 

Nos.  273-277 — Bank  Chambers:  North  corner  of  Chambers  Street.  A 
large  and  commodious  modern  building  occupies  part  of  the  site  of  the  old  Irving 
Hotel,  which  took  in  the  whole  block  front  to  Reade  Street,  and  was  undoubtedly 
a  most  popular  house  in  its  prime  as  managed  by  D.  D.  Howard.  Soon  after 
1850  the  grander  establisliments  away  uptown  then,  the  St.  Nicholas,  the  jSIetro- 
politan  and  the  New  York  Hotel,  attracted  all  the  custom  of  visitors  to  the  city, 
and  except  the  Astor  House,  one  after  the  other  of  the  down-town  hotels  became 
antiquated,  and  were  converted  into  business  houses.    The  stores  on  the  Broadway 


[  154  ] 


burning  uf  iSantum'B  Musvmx.  coum  SroaiJuiay  anJ»  Amt  ^trrrt.  in  IBfiS 


ONE  OF  THE   BEST   REMEMBERED   INCIDENTS  IN   OLD  NEW  YORK 

THOUSANDS  OF  MEN  STILL  LIVING  STOOD  THERE     HOLDING  THEIR 

FATHERS'  HAND     WHILE  THE  FIRE  WAS  IN  PROGRESS 

A  HUGE  DEAD  WHALE  LAY  IN  THE  STREETS  FOR  SEVERAL  DAYS  TO 

THE  GREAT  DISCOMFORT  OF  THE  NEIGHBORHOOD  BEFORE  IT  WAS 

REMOVED 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


front  were  occupied  by  high-class  firms :  John  Addonis,  dry  goods ;  R.  Fraser  an 
old-time  lace  merchant ;  Robert  Carter  sold  French  books. 

Nos.  279-283 — part  of  the  Irving  Hotel  site — is  a  new  building,  and  Nos.  285- 
289  have  remained  unchanged  for  many  years.  Goupil,  Vibert  &  Co.'s  Art  Gal- 
leries were  at  289;  also  Ohver  B.  Goldsmith,  writing  master. 

Nos.  291-295 — The  East  River  Savings  Institution:  North  corner  of 
Reade  Street.  A  large  and  handsome  office  building  recently  completed.  This 
was  originally  the  site  of  Chickering's  Pianoforte  Showrooms  and  Warehouse,  a 
large  and  pretentious  building  for  1850. 

Nos.  297-303 — The  Barclay  Building.  Also  a  large  new  office  structure,  ex- 
tending to  the  corner  of  Duane  Street,  which  took  the  place  of  several  very  small 
old  houses,  occupied  originally  by  hatters,  photographers,  and  small  tradesmen. 

Nos.  305-309.  Still  another  recent  new  office  building  in  this  neighborhood; 
as  also  Nos.  311-315,  both  of  which  are  yet  in  the  old  drygoods  district  and  tenanted 
by  these  interests.  Originally  the  plot  was  part  of  the  Hospital  grounds — but  had 
been  disposed  of  for  building  lots.  The  old  Nos.  307-309  was  quite  a  popular  re- 
sort known  as  the  Cafe  de  la  Republique,  run  by  F.  Palmo,  lately  removed  from 
his  old  Chambers  Street  place. 

Nos.  317-319 — North  and  south  corners  of  Thomas  Street.  These  two 
valuable  Broadway  corners  are  still  owned  by  the  New  York  Hospital,  which  ori- 
ginally occupied  nearly  all  of  the  space  from  Duane  to  Anthony  or  Worth  Street, 
as  shown  in  the  old  view. 

Thomas  Street  was  cut  through  the  centre  of  the  plot  about  1868,  when  the 
Hospital  had  removed  to  the  new  quarters  on  Sixteenth  Street  and  Fifth  Avenue. 
This  ancient  structure  was  erected  in  1771,  when  the  hospital  was  founded  by  Earl 
Dinsmore,  Governor  of  the  Colony  of  New  York.  Mr.  Stokes  has  in  his  collection 
a  very  rare  broadside,  a  single  large  sheet  on  which  is  printed  the  first  annual 
report  of  this  institution.  The  buildings  stood  on  elevated  ground  surrounded  by 
fine  trees,  giving  a  most  picturesque  and  rural  effect.  Mr.  Henry  made  some  very 
beautiful  drawings  and  photographs  here  about  1867;  and  another  old  print  of 
particular  interest  shows  the  workmen  very  busily  engaged  in  cutting  down  these 
beautiful  trees  to  make  way  for  the  new  street.  This  scene  on  lower  Broadway 
must  have  had  the  same  effect  on  any  old  New  Yorker  witnessing  it,  as  it  would 
to-day  if  he  came  upon  a  similar  scene,  say  in  Stuyvesant  or  Gramercy  Park. 

The  firm  of  Daniel  Birdsall  &  Co.,  a  very  old  real  estate  corporation,  has  had 
its  offices  in  No.  317  for  many  years.  Mr.  Frank  Lord,  associated  with  it  for  many 
years,  has  a  large  collection  of  interesting  old  views  in  connection  with  this  localit5\ 

Pearl  Street,  which  is  one  of  the  perennnial  conundrums  to  New  Yorkers, 
started  from  Broadway  below  the  Custom  House,  and  finally  was  halted  again  at 
Broadway,  directly  opposite  the  Hospital.  As  the  Hospital  was  the  remotest  point 
on  Broadway  of  any  interest,  so  this  is  as  far  as  our  old  views  take  us  in  1850. 

There  being  no  buildings  of  any  account,  there  are  naturally  no  old  pictures ; 
but  very  rapidly  Broadway  gained,  and  by  1860-1865  above  Canal  Street  had  be- 
come the  great  shopping  and  fashionable  quarters.   In  the  meantime  we  shall  re- 


[  157  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


trace  our  steps  to  the  Battery  and  describe  the  old  buildings  on  the  east  side  of  the 
street  to  Leonard  Street  as  they  were  thirty-odd  years  ago. 

BROADWAY:  EAST  SIDE  TO  LEONARD  STREET 

Nos.  2-8 — The  Produce  Exchange.  An  imposing  pile  of  red  brick  with  a 
large  square  tower,  built  about  1885,  and  which  was  a  prominent  landmark  of  the 
city  for  years.  It  replaced  all  of  the  old  buildings  on  this  block,  consisting  of 
warehouses  in  general.  The  corner  of  Beaver  Street,  No.  8,  was  a  boarding  house 
of  which  we  are  informed  Mrs.  Mix  and  Mrs.  Tripp  were  the  proprietors.  Skif- 
fen  &  Ironsides,  merchants,  had  their  office  at  No.  2.  In  the  earliest  days  of  the  city, 
here  were  erected  the  first  dwellings  outside  of  the  Fort. 

Nos.  10-12 — The  Produce  Exchange  Bank  Building:  Corner  of  Beaver 
Street.  The  original  site  of  another  decidedly  very  popular  hotel,  the  old  Adelphi, 
but  of  which  not  so  much  seems  to  have  been  recorded.  The  disastrous  fire  of 
1845  reached  its  limit  at  this  point,  as  the  next  object  in  its  patli  was  the  fountain 
in  the  Bowling  Green.  An  old  litliograph  of  the  period  shows  it  in  flames,  but 
otherwise  we  know  of  no  otlier  picture  of  it  except  an  exquisitely  engraved  vign- 
ette, at  the  head  of  a  bill  rendered  to  one  of  the  guests  for  board  at  $7.00  a  week; 
good  burgundy,  brandy,  etc.,  at  equally  moderate  prices.  This  was  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  late  Mr.  Neill  at  one  time,  and  he  used  to  tell  of  having  been 
offered  some  very  ridiculously  high  price  for  it  from  a  gentleman  who  said  he 
had  been  born  there,  and  had  never  been  able  to  find  anything  at  all  of  the  sort 
relating  to  this  hotel.  Mr.  Conklin  of  New  Rochelle  has  some  old  Almanacs  of 
1842-1843,  interleaved,  in  which  one  of  the  original  Hunters  of  Hunters  Island 
records  having  gone  to  New  York  and  engaged  board  for  himself  and  son  at  the 
Adelphi  for  $7.00  a  week.  The  old  hop  merchants,  JSIcGregor  &  ISIorris,  had 
their  warehouse  at  No.  10. 

Nos.  14-20 — The  Seaboard  National  Bank.  This  is  a  very  large  structure, 
built  several  years  ago,  and  occupies  the  site  of  four  of  the  old  houses  seen  in  the 
old  views.  They  are  also  shown  in  the  well-known  picture  of  "Pulling  Down  the 
Statue  of  George  III  on  the  Bowling  Green  in  1776."  They  were  destroyed  by 
the  fire  of  1845. 

Nos.  22-30 — The  Standard  Oil  Building.  Known  as  No.  26  Broadway. 
Probably  26  Broadway  is  the  least  known  of  all  the  large  office  buildings  on  Broad- 
way, notwithstanding  the  fact  of  one's  usual  familiarity  with  the  name  of  this 
great  corporation.  Housing  as  it  does  the  officers  of  the  parent  company  and  all 
the  subsidiary  concerns  affiliated  therewith,  including  every  officer  and  well-known 
individual  connected  with  its  vast  enterprises,  there  never  has  been  displayed  any- 
where in  the  building  such  a  thing  as  the  usual  directorj'^  board  to  which  one 
usually  refers  for  information. 

Everj'^one  seems  to  come  and  go  there  as  if  it  never  were  necessary  to  ask  for 
information,  and  at  any  time  a  Rockefeller,  Rogers,  Pratt,  Flagler,  Harkness,  etc., 
etc.,  may  be  seen  sauntering  in  or  out  along  with  messenger  boys,  or  any  others 


[158] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913,  H    C  8R0WN 


IBroaliuiay  in  IB 55 


AN  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  BROADWAY  IN  1855.  SHOWING  DELMONI- 
CO  S  ON  THE  CORNER  OF  CHAMBERS  STREET.  AND  THE  CHEMICAL 
BANK.  WHICH  IS  STILL  IN  THE  SAME  LOCATION.  THE  SIGN  OFTHE 
FIRST  MAKERS  OF  FOUNTAIN  PENS  IS  SHOWN  ON  THE  BUILDING 
WITH  THE  HIGH  STOOP  ON  THE  CORNER-  PRINCE  S  PROTEAN  FOUN- 
TAIN PEN."  GOODYEAR  S  SUCCESSFUL  INVENTION  OF  VULCANIZING 
RUBBER  HAD  JUST  BROUGHT  HIS  PRODUCT  ON  THE  MARKET  AND 
HIS  FIRST  RETAIL  STORE  IS  SHOWN  HERE,  HEGEMAN.  CLARK  &  CO. 
—  FOREBEARS  OF  OUR  PRESENT  WELL-KNOWN  RIKER  -  HEGEMAN 
DRUG  STORES  — ARE  ALSO  SHOWN  ON  THE  CORNER  ROBERT  RAIT 
WAS  THE  FASHIONABLE  JEWELER  AND  THE  TIFFANY  OF  HIS  DAY. 
THE  IRVING  HOUSE.  NEXT  TO  DELMONICOS.  WAS  A  POPULAR 
COMMERCIAL  HOTEL 

THE  TYPES  OF  PEOPLE  CORRECTLY  REPRESENT  THE  COSTUMES  OF 
THE  DAY.  AND  THE  COSMOPOLITAN  CHARACTER  OF  THE  CROWDS  IS 
SHOWN  IN  THE  SOLDIERS  AND  SAILORS  THE  STAGES.  CARRIAGES. 
CURIOUS  TWO-WHEELED  HANSOMS.  WAGONS  AND  TRUCKS  ARE 
ALSO  AUTHENTIC, 

THIS  IS  ANOTHER  OF  THE  FAMOUS     STEPHENSON  VIEWS" 

FROM  THE  COLLECTION  OF  MR    ROBERT  GOELET. 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


having  business  there.  And  it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  probably  in  no  other  office 
building  in  New  York  is  it  possible  for  one  to  receive  more  uniformly  courteous  at- 
tention than  is  shown  there  to  any  and  everyone  presenting  themselves,  no  matter 
at  whose  individual  rooms. 

The  evolution  of  this  site  has  been  of  great  interest.  As  stated  before,  Alex- 
ander Hamilton's  address  was  at  26  Broadway  after  the  evacuation  of  the  British, 
where  he  occupied  a  spacious  dwelling.  This  was  also  destroyed  by  the  fire  of  1845. 
And  a  very  interesting  feature  of  the  old  view  of  1850  shows  this  lot  occupied  as 
Worth's  coal  yard.  A  few  years  later  a  four-story  building  was  erected  there, 
which  remained  until  demolished  to  make  way  for  the  present  imposing  structure, 
which  really  occupies  four  lots  on  Broadway. 

Nos  32-34 — The  Hudson  Building.  One  of  the  older  structures  that  have 
replaced  the  old  houses  in  this  block. 

Nos.  36-42.  Known  as  42  Broadway  only.  In  fact,  nearly  all  of  the  big 
buildings  in  New  York  are  generally  known  by  their  street  number  which  is  the 
post-office  address.  This  is  a  very  large  structure  and  has  been  the  home  of  a  great 
many  corporations  interested  in  mining  and  kindred  interests.  The  Lewisohns, 
Guggenheimers,  Hammond,  etc.,  etc.,  were  located  here  for  many  years.  In  the 
basement  of  this  building,  with  entrances  on  New  Street  and  Beaver  Street,  is 
the  largest  retail  book  store  in  the  country,  so  successfully  managed  by  its  pro- 
prietor Henry  Malkan.  The  old  building  at  No.  36  was  Gay's  "Cauchalagua 
Depot."  No.  38  was  Charles  Ross  &  Co.'s  steamship  office,  and  No,  42  Noel's  fa- 
mous French  Looking-glass  Depot, 

Nos.  44-50 — The  Standard  Arcade.  Only  now  completed,  presenting  an 
entire  novelty  of  construction  in  this  section  of  Broadway.  It  is  but  three  stories 
high,  and  consists  of  a  wide  covered  street  passing  from  Broadway  to  New  Street, 
on  each  side  of  which  are  stores  for  the  sale  of  high-class  merchandise ;  on  a  gallery 
above  are  also  spaces  for  rent.  The  space  above  this  building  secures  light  and  air 
for  the  adjoining  buildings,  and  conforms  to  the  new  building  code  recently  adopted 
limiting  the  area  of  a  skyscraper.  Very  peculiarly,  this  is  the  site  of  the  Tower 
Building,  the  first  steel  structure  erected  in  New  York  and  the  forerunner  of 
them  all,  which  was  demolished  a  year  ago.  It  occupied  a  very  narrow  portion  of 
this  plot,  and  the  engineers  built  the  foundations  along  the  centre  of  it,  the  side 
walls  resting  on  the  arms  of  cantilevers  erected  on  the  foundation  piers.  The  build- 
ing attracted  considerable  attention  at  the  time  of  its  erection,  but  the  scheme  of 
construction  spread  so  rapidly  that  it  was  lost  sight  of  completely — in  fact,  one 
might  say,  it  became  a  shanty  in  a  year  or  two.  The  adjoining  old  house  removed 
at  the  same  time  for  this  new  structure  was  the  last  one  of  those  seen  in  the  old 
views  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway  from  Liberty  Street  to  the  Produce  Ex- 
change. 

Nos.  52-56 — Known  as  Exchange  Court.  Extends  to  the  corner  of  Ex- 
change Place,  the  Court  from  which  it  takes  the  name  being  situated  on  the  latter 
street.  The  building  also  extends  through  to  New  Street,  as  they  all  do  in  this 
block.    Originally  there  was  still  another  hotel  on  this  corner,  The  Waverly.  The 


[161] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


old  building  was  also  known  as  Exchange  Court  and  has  always  been  a  favorite 
address  for  brokers;  the  Tallis  View  of  1858  shows  the  names  on  the  signboards  of 
a  great  many  prominent  bankers  of  to-day,  since  retired  or  removed  to  other  lo- 
calities: H.  B.  Hollins,  W.  B.  Dickerman,  Spencer  Trask,  etc.,  etc. 

When  the  present  building  was  being  erected,  the  progress  of  excavation  for 
foundations,  etc.,  was  watched  from  day  to  day  by  a  large  crowd  of  bankers  and 
brokers  as  interested  spectators.  At  that  time  such  work  was  carried  on  without 
the  erection  of  the  present-day  boarded  walls  which  exclude  all  view  of  wliat  is  being 
done  within.  Mr.  John  I.  Downey  was  the  contractor,  and  when  his  work  was 
finally  completed  he  displayed  a  large  lettered  sign  announcing  this  fact,  and 
thanking  one  and  all  for  the  kind  interest  they  had  manifested  in  its  progress,  and 
regretting  he  could  entertain  them  no  longer,  he  would  bid  them  good-day. 

This  whole  plot  was  occupied  by  a  large  U.  S.  bonded  warehouse,  also  by  fur- 
niture-makers and  chairmakers. 

Nos.  58-60 — North  corner  of  Exchange  Place.  The  new  building  of  the 
Columbia  Trust  Co.  recently  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old  Consolidated  Exchange 
Building,  now  located  at  Beaver  and  Broad  Streets.  Prior  to  that  the  Misses  Con- 
stantine  conducted  a  select  boarding  house  on  the  corner  at  No.  .58,  and  the  Ocean 
Steamship  Navigation  Company — Mail  Line — were  at  No.  60.  No.  62  was  orig- 
inally the  house  of  John  E.  Schermerhorn  and  is  still  owned  by  his  descendants. 

Nos.  64-70 — The  INIanhattan  Life  Insurance  Company.  A  very  massive 
granite  building  erected  many  j'ears  since.  Part  of  this  site  was  originally  the 
Globe  Hotel,  Nos.  64-66,  a  very  imposing  building  of  five  stories  and  an  attic,  but 
little  has  been  heard  of  this  house. 

Nos.  72-74 — The  Century  Building  Company.  A  comparatively  recent 
structure,  on  the  site  of  two  of  the  old  residences,  which  had  been  converted  into 
offices. 

Nos.  78-82 — The  Union  Trust  Company.  A  large  modern  building  of 
the  early  80's.  Tenanted  ahnost  exclusively  by  bankers  and  brokers,  the  rear  en- 
trance on  New  Street,  being  directly  opposite  the  Stock  Exchange.  Moore  & 
Schley  have  been  located  there  ever  since  it  was  completed.  The  original  houses 
were  occupied  by  bootmakers,  cigar  makers,  and  hairdressers. 

No.  84  Broadway.  Really  a  part  of  No.  1  Wall  Street — the  Bandbox  Build- 
ing— erected  on  what  is  known  as  the  most  valuable  corner  in  New  York,  or  at 
least  for  which  the  highest  price  was  ever  paid.  Wilson's  drug  store,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  the  old  building,  was  a  favorite  resort  in  hot  weather  for  very  many  years. 

Nos.  90-94 — North  corner  of  Wall  Street  :  The  First  National  Bank 
Building.  An  imposing  brick  building  of  the  earlier  period  and  the  home  of  one 
of  the  largest  financial  institutions  in  the  city.  A  very  small  shanty  stood  at  this 
corner  as  late  as  1850.  In  it  were  John  Maninot,  hairdresser,  and  John  INIoran, 
bootmaker.  Prior  to  that,  however,  as  early  as  1820,  a  very  substantial  building 
had  been  erected  there. 

Nos.  96-98 — The  Schermerhorn  Building.  An  older  brick  building  owned 


[162] 


25raahuaij.  from  (Hurtlauht  ^trrrt,  10511 


SHOWING  BOGERT  S  OLD  CORNER  BAKERY.  WHICH  WAS  SUPERSEDED 
IN  1855  BY  THE  SECOND  IRON  BUILDING  tRECTED  IN  THIS  CITY. 
THE  FIRST  BEINGTHEOFFICEOFJ.BANDJMCORNELLIN  CENTRE 
STREET.  BALANCE  OF  THE  BLOCK  IS  NOW  THE  SITE  OF  THE  CITY 
INVESTING  AND  SINGER  BUILDINGS.  TWO  OF  THE  COSTLIEST  STRUC- 
TURES IN  THE  WORLD 

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THIS  SHOWS  BOGERT  S  BAKERY.  A  WELL  KNOWN  COOKIE  SHOP  IN 
THE  40s  THE  BUILDINGS  JUST  BEYOND  ARE  NOW  OCCUPIED  BY  THE 
CITY  INVESTING  CO  THE  BENEDICT  BUILDING,  WHICH  NOW  STANDS 
ON  THIS  CORNER  WAS  THE  FIRST  IRON  FRONT  BUILDING  ERECTED 
ON  BROADWAY  (1853) 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


by  the  Astor  Estate,  extending  in  the  rear  to  Pine  and  Wall  Streets,  which  offers 
a  favorite  rainy  day  route  through  from  street  to  street. 

Nos.  100-106 — The  American  Surety  Co.  of  New  York.  A  very  gorgeous 
and  imposing  structure,  at  the  corner  of  Pine  Street.  One  of  the  buildings  this 
replaced  was  that  occupied  by  John  Anderson  &  Co.,  cigars  and  tobacco,  a  five- 
story  structure  that  had  been  erected  prior  to  1848,  and  replacing  a  very  small  two- 
story  shack  of  which  there  is  an  old  view.  A  story  was  told  at  the  time  of  the  com- 
pletion of  this  building,  which  extends  some  fifteen  stories  above  the  Schermerhorn 
Building  on  the  south  and  east  sides  of  it,  and  is  provided  with  numerous  windows, 
that  the  late  Colonel  Astor  sent  word  to  the  company  that  he  was  ready  to  collect 
his  rent  for  the  light  and  air  they  were  getting  from  him,  which  they  were  inclined 
to  treat  as  a  bit  of  humor  on  Astor's  part,  until  they  found  out  that  he  had  filed 
plans  to  carry  the  Schermerhorn  Building  up  as  high  as  theirs  and  completely  ob- 
literate every  window  they  had  on  both  these  sides,  after  which  they  were  willing 
to  pay  him  for  light  and  air,  which,  of  course,  didn't  cost  him  very  much  to  pro- 
duce. 

Nos.  108-124 — The  Equitable  Building.  This  number  includes  the  whole 
block  front  from  Pine  to  Cedar  Street.  The  building,  only  lately  completed,  with 
all  the  wonderful  contrivances  and  improvements,  etc.,  has  been  most  completely 
described.  Undoubtedly  it  will  remain  for  a  little  while  as  the  most  complete,  up- 
to-the-minute,  and  par  excellence  example  of  the  modern  skyscraper.  Still,  it  is 
impossible  to  say  for  how  long! 

Phoenix-like,  it  has  risen  from  the  ruins  of  its  boasted  fire-proof  predecessor — 
a  massive  pile  of  granite  which  is  well  remembered,  at  any  rate,  on  account  of 
the  spectacular  fire  which  destroyed  it. 

The  latter  building  took  the  place  of  several  very  interesting  old  houses.  No. 
108,  at  the  corner  of  Pine  Street,  was  owned  by  Richard  Varick.  In  1808  it  was 
sublet  to  John  Trumbull,  and  here  he  published  his  famous  engravings  of  the  paint- 
ings he  had  made  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  Declaration  of  Independence,  etc. 
The  last  building  on  this  corner  was  the  famous  bank  of  Grant  &  Ward.  No. 
110  was  the  Tremont  Temperance  Hotel,  later  occupied  by  the  confectioner  Sa- 
varin,  who  was  still  a  tenant  of  the  building  until  its  destruction,  the  Cafe  Savarin 
being  as  well  known  as  the  Equitable  and  the  name  is  still  perpetuated  in  the  new 
building.  Colton,  the  mapmaker,  and  Disternell,  the  publisher,  occupied  premises 
on  this  site  for  many  years. 

Mr.  J.  Clarence  Davies  owns  a  rather  good  painting  of  1845,  depicting  the 
volunteer  firemen  at  work  on  a  bad  fire  which  occurred  at  the  corner  of  Cedar 
Street — a  most  interesting  representation  of  the  old  days — and  of  the  appearance 
of  this  site  at  that  time.  Very  curiously,  it  was  discovered  about  ten  days  before 
the  destruction  of  the  Equitable  Building,  and  had  already  been  purchased  b}- 
Mr.  Davies.  The  New  York  Herald  had  quite  a  large  cut  of  it  on  its  front  page 
a  day  or  two  after  the  fire. 

Nos.  126-128 — The  American  Exchange  National  Bank  Building. 
Erected  many  years  ago,  on  the  site  of  two  popular  drygoods  stores,  Clapp  & 


[165] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Kent,  and  S.  M.  Beckley,  it  was  recently  altered  and  enlarged.  Henry  Shelden 
&  Co.  was  another  of  the  original  old  drygoods  firms. 

Nos.  130-146.  Is  now  occupied  by  the  magnificent  new  banking  house  of  the 
Guaranty  Trust  Co.  This  whole  block  from  Cedar  to  Liberty  Street  is  now  occu- 
pied by  these  two  great  financial  institutions.  The  Croton  Hotel,  Eaton  &  Ray, 
stood  at  Nos.  140-142  and  was  a  very  substantial  four-story  and  attic  building, 
later  replaced  by  a  granite  structure  occupied  by  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Co. 
and  the  American  Bank  Note  Co.,  and  just  now  demolished  by  the  Guaranty 
Trust  Co. 

Nos.  148-158.  Few  changes  have  occurred  here,  except  the  modern  building 
at  No.  1.50,  the  others  having  stood  for  half  a  century.  Drygoods  firms,  hatters, 
tailors,  were  the  principal  occupants,  such  as  Conant  &  Balles ;  Manning,  Leavitt 
&  Co. ;  Clark  &  West;  Wiley  &  Co.  At  No.  156  was  the  office  of  A.  Bollerman,  con- 
sul from  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Hesse. 

Nos  160-164.  The  Lawyers  Title  Insurance  and  Trust  Co.  has  recently 
erected  a  handsome  building  here  for  their  own  use  and  also  for  offices.  An  in- 
teresting feature  in  connection  with  their  house-warming  on  completion  of  the 
premises  was  the  important  loan  exhibition  of  rare  old  New  York  views  which 
occupied  the  entire  ninth  floor  and  is  probably  fresh  in  the  minds  of  many  New 
Yorkers  and  others  who  had  the  opportunity  to  visit  this  interesting  exhibit.  This 
structure  replaced  three  of  the  old  houses  seen  in  the  old  view — which  had  all 
become  office  buildings  of  a  lower  order. 

Nos  166-170.  Is  occupied  by  a  large  new  building  which  is  entirely  devoted 
to  those  engaged  in  the  jewelry  and  precious  stones  business.  It  is  on  the  corner 
of  JNIaiden  Lane,  which  has  always  been  the  headquarters  of  this  branch  of  trade. 
Many  of  the  present  tenants  have  also  occupied  the  former  buildings  which  stood 
here.  Benjamin  Pike  &  Sons,  the  old-time  opticians,  had  their  store  here  in  the 
old  days. 

No.  174 — North  corner  of  Maiden  Lane.  This  is  another  similar  building 
to  No.  170,  devoted  to  the  same  interests.  Barthman  is  still  the  tenant  of  the 
corner  store.  This  building  occupies  part  of  the  site  of  the  Howard  House,  an- 
other of  Broadway's  great  hotels  in  its  time.  Here  was  the  original  store  of  Spen- 
cer &  Hensfel,  pens;  Bache  &  Peck,  brokers. 

Nos.  176-178 — Title  Guarantee  &  Trust  Co.  This  handsome  new  struc- 
ture also  occupies  part  of  the  old  Howard  House  site.  The  entire  building  is  de- 
voted to  the  Company's  own  use.  At  No.  178  formerly  was  the  popular  gun- 
maker,  Henry  T.  Cooper,  and  SejTnour  &  Tuska,  popular  hatters.  The  build- 
ings Nos.  180-182  at  the  corner  of  John  Street  are  still  the  same  as  formerly. 

No.  192 — The  Chatham  &  Phcenix  Bank,  north  corner  of  John  Street. 
Was  erected  many  years  ago.  The  former  structure  was  a  very  small  two-story 
house,  where  C.  King  had  a  drug  store.  The  property  is  still  owned  by  the  Re- 
formed Protestant  Dutch  Church,  to  which  it  was  bequeathed  by  John  Harpin- 
ding,  who  established  the  first  tannery  in  this  neighborhood  in  the  early  days  of 
New  York. 


[166] 


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The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


Nos.  194-196.  Are  all  old  buildings  altered  over  at  various  times  for  different 
purposes.    J.  W.  Southack,  the  cabinet  maker,  was  at  No.  196. 

Nos.  200-202.  The  Riker-Hegeman  Drug  Store  headquarters  and  office  build- 
ing occupies  the  site  of  the  original  store  of  D.  Appleton  &  Co.'s  Emporium  for 
Standard  Literature — a  pretentious  three-story  building. 

Nos  204-210.  The  old  Evening  Post  Building,  to  which  it  moved  about  1876 
from  the  old  Bryant  Building  at  Liberty  and  Nassau  Streets,  and  which  has  been 
the  rendezvous  of  the  great  writers  of  the  past  fifty  years.  This  valuable  plot, 
extending  to  Fulton  Street,  is  also  owned  by  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  as  part 
of  the  bequest  above  referred  to.  Formerly  this  was  the  site  of  No.  204,  the  first 
book-auction  firm  of  Bangs,  Leavitt  &  Piatt,  who  continued  in  this  business  until 
a  few  years  ago.  No.  210  was  another  very  small  two-story  building  at  the  corner. 
N.  Estephe  kept  a  popular  billiard  room  on  the  second  floor. 

No.  212 — The  Knox  Building,  north  corner  of  Fulton  Street.  This  has 
always  been  spoken  of  as  the  most  crowded  corner  in  New  York — probably  more 
so  in  the  past  than  now.  Here  it  was  that  a  bridge  was  erected  across  Broadway 
for  pedestrians  to  avoid  the  constant  vehicular  trafiic  of  the  roadway,  and  some  of 
the  old  prints  depict  a  jam  of  trucks,  omnibuses  and  carriages  that  would  put  to 
shame  any  idea  that  there  was  a  congestion  of  traffic  on  Fifth  Avenue  at  Forty- 
second  Street  at  any  time  to-day.  Knox,  the  hatter,  has  become  a  household 
term ;  his  peculiarly  successful  advertising  ideas  must  have  originated  in  some  way 
by  his  contiguity  to  the  great  and  only  P.  T.  Barnum  next  door.  The  present  build- 
ing was  erected  about  1850,  and  replaced  the  little  shanty  with  a  cigar  stand  seen 
in  the  older  view.  It  will  probably  remain  there  for  many  years  yet  under  a 
long  lease. 

Nos.  214-218.  The  National  Park  Bank,  which  has  its  main  room  in  the  rear, 
running  from  Fulton  to  Ann  Streets — a  very  handsome  building  of  granite. 
Here,  at  No.  214,  was  another  hatter  named  Genin,  whose  sign  is  seen,  who  tried 
to  be  a  close  second  to  Knox  in  advertising.  It  was  Genin  who  claimed  credit  for 
the  foot-bridge  across  Broadway.  No.  216  was  the  original  home  of  the  Chemical 
National  Bank  when  first  incorporated.  The  narrow  lot,  No.  218,  now  part  of  this 
site,  was  vacant  until  about  1850,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Barnum  as  an  addi- 
tion to  his  Museum. 

Nos.  220-222 — The  St.  Paul  Building.  One  of  the  tallest  buildings  in  New 
York  when  erected.  This  replaced  the  old  New  York  Herald  Office  Building, 
where  for  years  Hudnut's  drug  store  on  the  corner  did  a  land  office  business  in 
soda-water  during  the  summer,  his  thermometer  being  regarded  as  the  official 
figures  for  temperature.  Prior  to  the  Herald  Building  here  was  the  great  and  only 
Barnum's  Museum,  probably  better  known  to  the  old  citizen  to-day  than  anything 
else  about  old  New  York  up  to  the  very  day  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in 
1865. 

From  Park  Row  to  Chambers  Street.  The  Park,  as  it  was  known  half  a 
century  ago,  has  seen  some  great  changes  also.  The  Fountain,  which  was  made 
ready  in  1842,  as  the  great  pitce  de  rhistance  of  the  celebration  to  commemorate 


[169] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


the  completion  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct,  with  the  magnificent  surrounding  shade 
trees,  all  enclosed  hy  a  handsome  iron  fence,  with  the  turmoil  and  ever-changing 
panorama  of  fashionable  Broadway  just  without,  was  indeed  a  beautiful  and  rest- 
ful spot.  The  City  Hall  in  the  background  must  have  appeared  to  be  magnificent, 
and  the  mysterious  pretty  girl  who,  we  have  been  told,  sold  her  flowers  at  the  en- 
trance gate,  must  surely  have  been  very  lovely!  But,  alas!  in  1869  all  this  was 
levelled  to  the  ground  and  in  1876  the  Federal  Government  had  replaced  it  all 
with  that  huge  ugly  building,  the  Post  Office,  which  they  haven't  been  able  to 
scrap  yet,  as  had  been  looked  forward  to,  in  the  hope  that  New  York  City  would 
come  into  its  own  again,  and  with  the  aid  of  eager  and  enthusiastic  contributors, 
restore  what  was  undoubtedly  a  beauty  spot  of  the  dear  old  town. 

At  the  north  end  of  the  Park,  at  Chambers  Street,  great  improvements  were 
in  progress.  New  York's  greatest  merchant,  A.  T.  Stewart,  had  already  planned 
his  great  building,  which  is  still  standing  there — a  stupendous  undertaking  for  this 
period.  It  took  the  place  of  many  old  landmarks  on  Chambers  Street:  Palma's 
Theatre,  the  Rotunda  and  the  Baths.  A  curious  old  print  of  1869  shows  a  very 
small  building  still  remaining  in  the  centre  of  the  Chambers  Street  fa9ade,  which, 
we  understand,  was  an  oyster  saloon  whose  proprietor  had  steadfastly  refused  to 
dispose  of  his  lease.  An  interesting  fact  in  connection  with  this  is  that  when  Stew- 
art a  few  years  later  also  erected  his  great  uptown  store  (now  Wanamaker's) ,  he 
had  to  build  around  the  corner  of  Ninth  Street  and  Broadway,  occupied  by  M. 
Knoedler  &  Co.,  the  successors  to  Goupil,  Vibert  &  Co.,  who  had  moved  there  on 
a  long  lease,  which  they  also  refused  to  dispose  of,  and,  history  repeating  itself, 
the  gi'eat  emporium  of  Altman  &  Co.  at  the  corner  of  Thirty-fourth  Street  and 
Fifth  Avenue,  was  incompleted  for  several  years,  as  INIessrs.  Knoedler  &  Co.  were 
again  the  tenants  there  and  again  refused  very  large  offers  for  their  lease.  The  old 
negro  burj^ing-ground  occupied  part  of  this  site  and  numerous  bones  were  found 
in  the  excavations.  The  Broadway  front,  extending  to  Reade  Street,  is  now  known 
as  Nos.  274-288,  but  No.  280  Broadway  is  the  post-office  address. 

Nos.  290-294 — The  Dun  Building.  Is  a  large  new  structure,  which  took  the 
place  of  three  of  the  ancient  dwellings  here  which  had  become  business  places.  At 
No.  290  A.  Vignes  had  a  French  hotel.  No.  292  was  occupied  by  George  Pierce, 
ranges  and  furnaces,  in  connection  with  J.  W.  Ash,  plumber,  a  three-story  and 
attic  building.  Pike,  the  optician,  also  had  a  store  here.  Nos.  296-304  are  old 
buildings  extending  to  the  corner  of  Duane  Street,  either  altered  or  rebuilt  during 
the  last  half -century.  Schoverling,  Daly  &  Gales  have  occupied  the  corner  store 
for  many  years. 

No.  306 — The  north  corner  of  Duane  Street.  This  building  was  erected 
about  1900.  It  occupies  the  site  of  a  very  interesting  old  shack  which  was  built  in 
1786  and  remained  there  until  1898.  Originally  Broadway  stopped  at  Chambers 
Street,  and  all  beyond  was  known  as  Lispenard's  Meadows,  inherited  by  the  present 
Barclay  Estate.  This  corner  lot  was  sold  for  $500  to  a  grocer  who  apparently  did 
not  have  much  success,  for  soon  after  he  had  made  an  assignment  of  the  property  to 
one  William  Alexander,  who  sold  it  in  1796  for  $3,850  to  Peter  Bruce,  who  in  turn 


[170] 


COPYRIGHT.  19  13.    H.  C.  BROWN. 


The  Main  Street  in  Our  Village:  Broadway 


disposed  of  it  to  James  Gemmel  (another  grocer)  in  1825  for  $9,000.  By  this  time 
grocery  stores  must  have  been  more  in  demand,  as  the  Gemmels  and  their  descen- 
dants retained  possession  until  1898,  when  it  was  sold  for  $200,000,  Perhaps  with  the 
rapidly  increasing  growth  of  Broadway  and  the  advent  of  the  fashionable  retail 
stores,  the  Gemmels  had  wisely  switched  to  the  jewelry  business,  for  we  find  the 
firm  of  J.  &  J.  Gemmel  thus  engaged  at  the  old  stand  in  1850,  when  they  then 
had  as  neighbors,  at  No.  304,  W.  A.  Colman,  the  bookseller;  No.  308,  Ed.  De- 
chaux,  artists'  materials,  and  Houpt,  the  dentist;  No.  310,  Dr.  Underbill;  No.  314, 
Peter  Gilsey,  cigars;  and  at  No.  316  had  been  erected  the  first  Masonic  Hall, 
afterward  occupied  by  F.  Colton,  the  auctioneer,  and  a  bowling  alley.  The  gro- 
cery business  was  assumed  by  G.  H.  McHugh,  who  had  his  store  at  No.  318,  the 
corner  of  Pearl  Street,  which  ended  here  in  its  circuitous  path,  as  the  Hospital  was 
directly  across  on  Broadway,  and  undoubtedly  Mr.  McHugh,  let  us  hope,  was  very 
successful,  for  he  must  have  had  a  very  good  stand,  with  the  rapidly  increasing 
number  of  new  residences  and  swell  hotels  which  then  began  to  appear  on  upper 
Broadway,  though  usually  they  were  deemed  to  be  too  far  away  from  town.  Very 
few  changes  of  importance  have  occurred  in  these  old  buildings.  Since  their  al- 
teration or  rebuilding,  further  up  Broadway,  at  No.  322,  was  another  bookseller, 
Wm.  Raddle,  and  the  Porter  House  of  P.  L.  Murray,  and  here  was  the  original 
home  of  the  Homeopathic  pills. 

No.  324 — The  Gem  Saloon.  A  very  famous  resort  in  the  50's.  It  contained 
the  largest  mirror  that  had  ever  been  brought  to  New  York,  and  employed  the 
most  expert  bartenders.  An  old  print  of  the  interior  shows  them  in  the  act  of 
mixing  drinks  in  the  most  approved  cocktail  style.  Mayor  Fernando  Wood  is 
represented  as  greeting  several  other  well-known  characters  of  the  day.  There 
was  also  a  counter  for  the  sale  of  oysters.  It  was  a  very  small  structure,  only  two 
stories,  and  stood  next  door  to  the  gorgeous  new  Broadway  Theatre — Nos.  326- 
330 — which  became  New  York's  leading  place  of  amusement.  The  Theatre  on 
Park  Row  had  then  become  too  far  downtown,  and  was  soon  after  demolished. 
Much  has  been  written  of  this  playhouse  in  all  dramatic  reminiscences  and  his- 
tories of  the  stage. 

No.  346 — Main  Office  of  the  New  York  Life  Insurance  Company.  A 
very  magnificent  building  and  fully  in  keeping  with  the  history  of  this  particular 
site  on  Broadway.  Reference  has  been  made  to  the  crusade  against  encroachments 
on  the  sidewalk  which  were  eliminated  a  few  years  ago.  The  beautiful  portico  of 
this  building,  consisting  of  eight  massive  columns,  was  taken  down ;  no  other  build- 
ing in  New  York  sustained  so  heavy  a  cost  of  alteration. 

This  is  the  narrowest  block  front  on  Broadway,  situated  between  Leonard 
Street  and  Catherine  Lane  (the  latter  street  is  probably  unknown  to  the  average 
New  Yorker).  Here  was  erected  the  first  "Public  Library  of  New  York,"  as  it 
was  incorporated  in  1700,  but  changed  to  its  present  name  of  The  New  York  So- 
ciety Library  in  1754:  "The  oldest  and  most  extensive  library  in  the  United 
States"  (1854),  and  now  located  at  Thirteenth  Street  and  University  Place.  The 


[173] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


present  structure  was  patterned  somewhat  after  the  character  of  the  very  beautiful 
building  which  formerly  stood  here.    The  original  cost  in  1838-39  was  $120,000. 

During  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  books,  being  deposited  in  the  old  City 
Hall  in  Wall  Street,  were  scattered  and  lost.  A  common  story  is  that  they  were 
carried  off  by  British  soldiers  and  bartered  for  grog. 

At  this  point  Broadway  enters  a  new  era.  The  stages  disappear,  the  sky- 
scraper enters,  and  its  entire  atmosphere  changes.  This  period,  however,  must  be 
reserved  for  another  chapter  at  some  future  time. 


[174] 


I 


CHAPTER  IV 


FIRST  OCCUPATION  OF  MANHATTAN  ISLAND 

It  is  now  quite  definitely  ascertained  that  more  than  one  navigator  saw  the 
Island  we  now  call  Manhattan  before  its  existence  actually  came  into  modern  cal- 
culation. Leif  Ericson,  it  would  seem,  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first  white  man 
to  gaze  upon  its  solitudes.  He  was  an  early  viking.  Several  centuries  elapsed 
before  any  other  European  appeared.  Sebastian  Cabot,  Captain  John  Smith  and 
Amerigo  Vespucci  each  preceded  the  mariner  whose  name  is  now  indissolubly 
connected  with  the  city  and  the  majestic  river  which  borders  it  on  the  west — Hen- 
drik  Hudson. 

But  little  is  actually  and  definitely  known  of  Hudson.  He  was  born  no  one 
knows  when  or  where.  He  died — no  one  knows  how  and  when.  He  comes  into 
our  knowledge  on  the  quarter-deck  of  a  ship  searching  for  that  will-o'-the-wisp — 
a  new  road  to  India.  He  goes  out  of  it  in  the  frozen  waters  of  the  Arctic  Ocean 
in  a  crazy  boat  manned  by  eight  sick  sailors,  cast  adrift  by  a  mutinous  crew.  The 
genuineness  of  his  portraits  is  seriously  questioned  and  his  autograph  is  not  gen- 
erally conceded  to  be  authentic.  No  one  recalls  his  age  at  the  time  of  his  discovery. 
That  he  was  of  less  than  middle  age  is  considered  a  good  guess,  as  reference  is 
found  in  the  records  to  a  son  eighteen  years  old.  Even  at  that,  he  may  have  been 
a  grizzled  veteran  of  seventy  for  all  we  actually  know.  For  a  moment  he  looms 
with  dazzling  brilliancy  in  the  world's  history,  but  appears  to  have  vanished  into 
nothingness  when  his  great  work  was  done. 

Hudson  was  born,  it  seems,  in  England  sometime  in  that  romantic  century 
which  gave  us  Drake,  Magellan  and  Frobisher.  A  strange  twist  of  fate  robbed 
England  of  a  glory  that  should  have  been  hers,  and  the  honor  went  to  Holland. 


[  177  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  Youk 


His  father  and  grandfather  were  both  London  merchants,  and  tlie  name  was 
Hodgson.  His  Dutch  employers  pronounced  it  Hudson — Hendrik  Hudson — and 
so  it  must  be  henceforth  and  forever. 

Hudson,  hke  many  another  seafaring  man  of  those  days,  was  open  for  any  ad- 
venture that  promised  adequate  financial  return.  Doubtless  the  hazardous  nature 
of  his  task  procured  a  bonus  corresponding  with  the  gravity  of  the  risk  involved  in 
a  journey  over  a  trackless  waste  of  three  thousand  miles.  For  this  perilous  jour- 
ney, in  the  frailest  of  frail  crafts,  Hudson  received  the  stupendous  sum  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  dollars.  Should  the  venture  end  in  disaster,  and  Hudson 
be  never  heard  from  again,  his  widow  was  to  receive  a  further  sum  of  eighty. dollars 
in  cash.  Such  were  the  terms  of  the  agreement,  and  it  was  considered  satisfactory. 
Though  a  small  sum  in  money,  it  purchased  imperishable  fame.  And  but  for  this 
timely  engagement,  Hudson  must  have  remained  in  oblivion,  as  already  two  of  his 
voyages  had  brought  no  results.  The  third  attempt  succeeded  and  by  his  immortal 
voyage  in  the  Half  Moon,  Hudson  climbed  to  the  utmost  pinnacle  of  glory.  The 
lordly  river  into  which  his  bark  sailed,  with  the  first  crew  of  white  men,  will  go 
down  the  ages  bearing  his  name,  and  the  world  forever  regard  him  as  one  of  its 
greatest  discoverers. 

Upon  Hudson's  return  to  Holland  and  a  report  of  his  discovery,  many  other 
countries  prepared  expeditions  of  various  kinds  to  explore  the  regions  which  he 
had  described.  As  a  result,  several  vessels  made  the  voyage,  but  none  with  the  pur- 
pose of  colonization.  INIost  of  them  were  ordinary  traders,  taking  with  them  trink- 
ets to  exchange  for  the  furs,  fish  and  salt  produced  by  the  countries  on  the  route. 
Aside  from  these  desultory  voyages,  there  was  no  attempt  to  live  on  the  island  until 
1613,  and  the  settlement  of  that  year  was  accidental.  It  could  not  be  regarded 
in  the  same  light  as  the  final  purchase  and  occupation  by  Peter  INIinuit  acting  on 
behalf  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  1626. 

In  the  former  year  (1613)  no  less  than  four  different  vessels  visited  the  island 
for  the  purpose  of  trading.  One  of  these,  the  Tiger,  conmianded  by  Adrian  Block, 
took  fire  at  its  anchorage  just  off  where  Rector  Street  now  is,  and  was  burned  to 
the  water's  edge.  This  compelled  Block  to  find  refuge  for  the  winter  on  the  main- 
land. He  built  some  huts,  the  Indians  supplied  food  and  Block  started  to  recon- 
struct another  ship  to  replace  the  one  he  lost.  With  practically  no  tools  he  con- 
trived to  launch  a  vessel  in  tlie  spring  which  he  called  the  Restless.  In  it  he 
explored  the  Sound  and  the  Connecticut  River  as  far  as  the  present  city  of  Hart- 
ford, and  to  Cape  Cod. 

Block's  vessel  was  small — only  sixteen  tons — wholly  unsuited  to  the  return 
voyage.  He  met,  however,  his  friend  Christiansen,  in  a  larger  boat,  just  from 
Holland,  who  was  prevailed  upon  to  exchange  the  stauncher  one  for  the  Restless  and 
in  it  Block  returned  to  Holland,  Avhile  Christiansen  continued  along  the  coast  in 
the  Restless.  Both  these  navigators,  it  will  be  noticed,  were  Dutch,  as  were  also  most 
of  the  trading  vessels.  It  shows  the  activity  of  the  Dutch  in  these  waters  at  a  much 
earlier  date  than  the  English. 

The  exploit  of  Block  in  building  a  new  boat  with  practically  no  tools  has  al- 


[178] 


SSruatnuay,  corner  (Eaual  ^trrrt,  1335 


A  COPY  or  THE  FAMOUS  HORNER  AQUATINT.  SHOWING  fHE  CORNER 
OF  BROADWAY  AND  CANAL  STREET  IN  1835 

ASIDE  FROM  THE  GENERAL  INTEREST  AFFORDED  DYTHE  STYLE  OF 
BUILDINGS  AND  THE  LONG  VIEW  OF  BROADWAY.  IT  IS  PARTICU- 
LARLY VALUABLE  FOR  ITS  PICTORIAL  STORY  OF  THE  TIMES. 
PRACTICALLY  EVERY  TYPE  OF  HORSE-DRAWN  VEHICLE  IN  USE  AT 
THETIMEISSHOWN.BUTTHE  STREET  CHARACTERS  ARE  EVEN  MORE 
INTERESTING  AT  TH  E  LEFT  IS  A  PI  LE  OF  WOOD.  COAL  WAS  VERY 
LITTLE  USED  IN  THOSE  DAYS.  AND  WOOD  WAS  BOUGHT  FROM 
WAGONS  IN  LOGS  DUMPED  ON  THE  SIDEWALK  AND  AFTERWARD 
SAWED  INTO  SHORT  LENGTHS.  AT  THE  LOWER  EXTREME  RIGHT  IS 
SHOWN  A  PILE  OF  LOGS  AND  THE  COLORED  MAN  WITH  HIS  BUCK- 
SAW AND  HORSES.  THE  TRAVELLING  COBBLER  WITH  A  STRING  OF 
SHOES  ON  A  LONG  POLE  IS  SHOWN  ON  THE  CORNER  A  BOY  IS 
CRYING  TEA  RUSK—  RUK.  RUK. -TEA  RUK!  '  AND  ON  THE  LEFT- 
HAND  SIDE  IS  A  PEDDLER  SELLING  ICE  OUT  OF  A  WAGON  A  CURL 
AND  WIG  STORE  IS  ON  THE  LOWER  LEFT  HAND  CORNER  AND  NUMER- 
OUS DOGS  ARE  SEEN  A  FOUR-HORSE  STAGE  IS  IN  THE  CENTRE, 
WHILE  DOTTING  BOTH  SIDES  OF  THE  STREET  ARE  NUMEROUS 
STANDS  SELLING  PIES,  FRUIT,  ETC  ,  ETC.  BUT  FEW  COPIES  OF 
THIS  INTERESTING  PICTURE  ARE  KNOWN, 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    ROBERT  COLLET. 


First  Occupation  of  Manhattan  Island 


ways  remained  a  mystery.  No  satisfactory  explanation  has  ever  been  advanced  for 
the  accomplishment,  so  we  must  be  content  with  the  fact  itself.  The  place  where 
the  first  shipyard  in  New  York  was  located — if  we  may  be  permitted  to  dignify 
it  with  this  title — is  now  marked  by  a  bronze  tablet  erected  by  the  Holland  So- 
ciety, setting  forth  this  wonderful  story,  at  No.  39  Broadway,  the  location  of  the 
camp. 

The  rude  home-made  huts  erected  on  this  site  and  the  kindness  of  the  Indians  in 
providing  food  enabled  the  sailors  of  Block's  party  to  pass  the  winter  of  1613- 
1614  in  comparative  comfort.  It  also  stands  forth  as  the  first  instance  of  the  occu- 
pation of  Manhattan  Island  by  white  men  for  any  considerable  length  of  time. 
About  six  months  covered  the  sojourn.  But  as  that  was  seven  years  before  Ply- 
mouth, thirteen  years  before  New  York  and  twenty  years  before  Boston,  it  is  an 
important  event  in  the  white  man's  advent  in  the  New  World. 

'  Notwithstanding  Block's  really  wonderful  and  valuable  contributions  to  the 
knowledge  of  a  little  known  land,  no  particular  honor  has  ever  been  accorded  his 
discoveries,  and  but  for  the  naming  of  an  obscure  island  at  the  end  of  the  Sound, 
the  importance  of  his  labors  would  probably  have  been  long  ago  forgotten.  One  rea- 
son for  this  apparent  neglect  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  no  journal  of  his  visit 
to  New  Netherland  has  come  down  to  the  present  generation,  and  hence  his  own 
account  of  his  discoveries  and  experiences  is  lost  to  us.  He  returned  to  Holland 
bearing  peltries  and  other  evidences  of  the  wealth  of  the  new  country,  and  greatly 
enhanced  the  value  of  Hudson's  original  discovery.  He  was  instrumental  in  or- 
ganizing the  New  Netherland  Company. 

After  1614  the  Island  was  never  again  without  permanent  connection  with 
Holland.  A  special  charter  for  trading  with  the  Island  (which  was  then  called  Nieu 
Amsterdam  for  the  first  time)  was  issued  in  1613  by  the  States-General  to  a  com- 
pany of  Amsterdam  merchants.  A  few  years  later  some  settlers  came  over  under 
the  special  protection  of  some  wealthy  Hollanders  known  as  Patroons,  who  were 
subsequently  to  organize  the  Dutch  West  India  Company.  These  were  the  Wal- 
loons who  settled  along  the  Jersey  shore  and  up  the  river  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany. 
Their  lands  were  owned  by  the  Patroons  and  had  been  granted  to  them  by  the 
Dutch  Government  upon  condition  that  they  would  privately  colonize  them.  This 
almost  perpetuated  the  old  feudal  system  of  Europe  and  the  Lords  of  the  Manor 
became  very  powerful  and  also  troublesome  to  the  West  India  Company. 

THE  ISLAND  IS  PURCHASED 

We  have  already  described  the  excitement  created  by  the  details  of  Hudson's 
great  discovery.  The  glowing  accounts  of  the  region,  the  wonders  of  its  hidden 
wealth,  the  unmistakable  value  of  the  furs  and  peltries  secured  in  exchange  for 
trinkets  from  the  natives,  all  combined  to  set  Europe  ablaze  Avith  excitement.  Re- 
ports of  returning  adventurers  but  added  fuel  to  the  fire,  and  the  States-General 
quickly  took  action.    A  private  company  of  merchants  with  extraordinary  powers, 


[181] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


granted  by  the  State  under  the  title  of  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  was  or- 
ganized to  develop  the  newly  acquired  country,  which,  in  honor  of  its  origin,  was 
to  be  called  New  Netherland;  and  the  settlement  on  the  end  of  the  little  island 
in  the  mouth  of  Hudson's  River  was  to  be  called  New  Amsterdam  in  honor  of  its 
namesake  at  home. 

Accordingly,  Peter  Minuit,  invested  with  the  powers  of  Governor,  set  sail 
for  the  New  World  to  begin  the  Colony.  Arriving  on  the  Island  in  the  summer 
of  1626,  he  at  once  called  a  council  of  the  Indians,  and  purchased  the  entire  island 
for  some  beads  and  trinkets  amounting  in  value  to  about  $24.  This  accomplished, 
we  now  introduce  to  our  readers  the  town  of  New  Amsterdam  after  its  formal 
founding  by  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  of  Holland. 

TROUBLES  OF  THE  COLONY 

We  will  now  pass  in  review  some  of  the  salient  features  which  marked  the  en- 
trance of  the  Dutch  Republic  into  competition  with  the  great  European  powers 
in  the  development  of  the  New  World,  and  in  doing  so  we  must  consider,  as  a 
whole,  the  general  state  of  Europe  socially  and  politically  in  the  beginning  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  This  period  marks  a  distinct  epoch  in  the  progress  of  the 
world's  civilization,  and  in  founding  a  new  state  in  a  New  World  certain  cardinal 
principles  of  colonization  were  involved,  and  it  is  to  a  consideration  of  these  prin- 
ciples, as  they  affected  Dutch  interests  in  America,  that  we  invite  the  reader's 
attention. 

If  we  examine  the  Oriental,  the  Roman  and  the  English  idea  of  colonization 
we  find  a  fatal  defect  in  the  two  former  systems  in  one  important  particular — it  de- 
nied self-participation  in  the  local  government  to  the  peoples  involved.  The  Eng- 
lish idea,  on  the  contrary,  included  from  the  beginning  town  meetings,  elections 
and  other  appurtenances  of  popular  government.  True,  these  essentials  were  not 
in  the  beginning  enjoyed  to  the  extent  to  which  they  afterwards  expanded.  But 
they  were  present  from  the  start  in  the  English  Colonies  which  bounded  the  Dutch 
colony  on  both  the  north  and  the  south.  And  in  New  Netherland  they  were  con- 
spicuous by  their  absence.  In  the  third  of  a  century  which  elapsed  between  the 
founding  of  New  Amsterdam  in  1626  and  its  capture  by  the  English  in  1664  the 
increase  of  population  over  the  original  two  or  three  hundred  had  only  grown  to 
two  thousand — of  whom  a  large  number  were  French,  English,  other  nationali- 
ties and  slaves — thus  leaving  so  small  an  amount  of  real  Dutch  as  to  be  almost 
negligible  in  a  political  sense.  In  the  meanwhile  the  English  Colony  in  New  Eng- 
land had  increased  from  the  few  hundred  landed  at  Boston  by  Winthrop  in  1630 
to  a  fairly  powerful  confederacy  numbering  over  forty  thousand  in  1664.  South 
of  New  Amsterdam,  the  English  under  Penn  were  equally  prosperous  and  the  same 
relative  growth  was  noted  in  Virginia  and  the  South. 

The  causes  which  finally  brought  disaster  to  Dutch  dominion  in  America  and 
practical  ruin  to  the  West  India  Company  had  their  origin,  among  other  things,  in 


[182] 


t 


6*1.  (!5fiirgp*B  OIt|a|}rl.  in  IBrrkmau  S»trfrt.  1BB5 


WHERE  WASHINGTON  IRVING  WAS  CHRISTENED,  AND  WHERE  MR. 
J.  PIERPONT  MORGAN  SERVED  AS  VESTRYMAN  FOR  NEARLY  HALF  A 
CENTURY.  THE  CHURCH  IS  NOW  ON  STUYVESANT  SQUARE  IT  WAS 
THE  FIRST  OF  TRINITY  S  CHAPELS.  ERECTED  IN  1759 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF  THE   LATE   MR.  J.  P.  MORGAN 


Troubles  of  the  Colony 


the  failure  of  the  colonists  to  acquire  that  spirit  of  homogeneity  which  underlies 
all  successful  attempts  at  colonization.  For  this  the  officials  were  primarily  re- 
sponsible. 

The  Dutch  were  governed  by  innumerable  instructions,  letters  and  intermi- 
nable advice  from  across  the  sea.  The  English  no  sooner  landed  than  they  pro- 
ceeded to  start  a  violent  conflict  with  their  local  governors  over  the  question  of 
taxation  levied  by  their  Board  of  Assistants  on  which  they  were  not  represented. 
Here  at  once  is  a  radical  and  tremendous  difference  in  the  spirit  of  the  two  settle- 
ments. The  English  were  at  once  accorded  a  voice  in  their  own  affairs.  That 
made  at  once  for  nationality  and  homogeneity.  It  created  an  entirely  different 
spirit  among  the  people.  It  meant  that  the  new  country  was  their  home  and  that 
they  meant  to  have  things  run  right  as  nearly  as  possible,  in  a  place  they  called  home. 

The  Dutch,  on  the  contrary,  were  for  many  years  forbidden  to  hold  land  or 
build  up  anything  that  they  might  hope  some  day  to  have  as  their  own.  They 
existed  merely  by  the  grace  of  the  West  India  Company.  At  any  time  their  farms 
or  possessions  might  at  the  end  of  their  lease  be  taken  up  by  the  Company.  With 
the  loose  ideas  held  by  public  officials  in  those  days,  it  was  practically  impossible 
to  feel  secure  from  depredation.  In  time  this  policy  was  abandoned,  but  much 
valuable  effort  and  money  had  been  lost  and  this  mistaken  policy  proved  a  serious 
handicap  to  the  development  of  New  Amsterdam  at  a  period  when  her  rivals  were 
growing  with  incredible  swiftness. 

The  government  of  the  Colony  under  such  conditions  was  not  better  than  was 
to  be  expected.  A  semblance  of  popular  rule  was  maintained,  but  on  the  whole 
it  was  a  government  by  correspondence.  The  accredited  representative  of  the 
Company,  though  rejoicing  in  a  certain  amount  of  judicial  power,  was  himself  the 
object  of  constant  attacks  both  personal  and  political;  and  his  whole  administra- 
tion was  perpetually  under  the  scrutiny  and  criticism  of  the  home  office.  With  the 
exception  of  Stuyvesant,  these  Governors  were  not  of  commanding  ability,  and 
one  of  them,  Kieft,  by  his  atrocious  treatment  of  a  little  Indian  girl,  precipitated 
a  war  that  well-nigh  exterminated  not  only  the  Dutch  in  New  York  but  likewise  all 
the  white  settlers  in  the  vicinity. 

The  girl's  offense  consisted  in  stealing  a  peach  from  an  orchard  in  Wall 
Street  near  Broadway,  and  for  this  trifling  offense  the  poor  child  was  cruelly  shot 
to  death.  This  single  act  of  f rightfulness  had  tremendous  consequences  and  in- 
flicted a  blow  upon  the  Dutch  from  which  they  never  fully  recovered.  A  war  of 
unparalleled  fury  ensued,  which  lasted  nearly  two  years.  In  fact,  it  really  never 
ended.  A  hatred  was  kindled  that  was  unquenchable.  It  beset  the  Dutch  on  every 
side.  It  hamj)ered  every  attempt  at  expansion.  It  thwarted  and  stunted  Dutch 
influence  in  every  direction  and  virtually  ruined  the  West  India  Company.  Trifles 
light  as  air,  apparently,  have  swayed  the  destinies  of  nations  at  times,  and  this  stupid 
blunder  of  Kieft's,  more  than  all  other  influences,  sowed  the  seeds  of  disaster  in 
the  far-away  possessions  of  Holland  in  America,  and  the  injury  proved  irreparable. 
Kieft  was  finally  recalled  and  was  succeeded  by  Van  Twiller,  whose  administration 
was  neither  brilliant  nor  successful. 


[185] 


GiJMPSES  OF  Old  New  York 


GOVERNOR  STUYVESANT 

In  the  appointment  of  Petrus  Stuyvesant,  the  last  and  the  only  great  Gov- 
ernor the  Dutch  ever  had,  the  little  Colony  at  last  came  under  the  care  of  a  man  who 
realized  the  possibilities  of  the  situation. 

He  had  served  his  country  well  as  a  gallant  soldier  in  the  Low  Countries  and 
as  Governor  of  Cura9ao,  and  at  the  time  of  his  advent  in  New  York,  wore  a 
wooden  leg  with  silver  bands  in  place  of  the  one  he  lost  during  an  attack  on  the 
Portuguese  island  of  St.  Martin.  He  dressed  with  scrupulous  care  after  the  most 
approved  European  fashions.  He  bore  himself  with  a  princely  air  and  made  a 
strikingly  picturesque  figure.  Prior  to  this,  he  had  married  in  Holland,  Judith 
Bayard;  his  sister  Anna  married  Nicholas  Bayard,  his  wife's  elder  brother.  The 
latter  died  soon  after,  and  Stuyvesant  was  accompanied  to  the  new  home  by  his 
wife  and  his  sister  and  the  latter's  three  infant  sons.  All  these  were  of  the  ruling 
classes  in  Holland,  and  were  highly  educated  according  to  the  standards  of  the 
day.  Although  he  was  harshly  treated  by  the  West  India  Company  for  his  sur- 
render of  New  York,  he  never  lost  his  interest  and  affection  for  the  little  settle- 
ment over  which  he  once  ruled.  Returning  to  his  farm  in  the  Bouwerie  in  1667, 
after  his  visit  to  Holland,  he  went  into  retirement  and  spent  his  remaining  years  in 
the  interest  of  the  Dutch  Church,  having  erected  a  chapel  near  the  house  on  his 
farm,  beneath  which  he  built  a  vault,  where  he  was  buried  in  February,  1672.  His 
widow,  dying  in  1687,  left  the  chapel  to  the  Dutch  Church.  According  to  the 
terms  of  the  bequest,  the  vault  was  preserved,  although  the  chapel  was  allowed  to  fall 
into  ruin.  St.  Mark's  was  erected  on  the  site  in  1799.  From  time  to  time  his  de- 
scendants are  laid  beside  him.  In  the  wall  of  the  Second  Avenue  side  of  this 
sacred  edifice  can  be  seen  the  stone  tablet  marking  his  last  resting  place  which 
reads  as  follows: 

"In  this  vault  lies  buried 
Petrus  Stuyvesant 
Late  Captain-General  and  Governor  in 
Chief  of  Amsterdam  in  New  Nether- 
land,  now  called  New  York,  and  the 
Dutch  West  India  Islands,  Died  Feb- 
ruary A.  D.  1672,  aged  80  years." 

On  another  page  is  shown  a  picture  of  this  famous  church  at  the  corner  of 
Second  Avenue,  10th  to  11th  Streets,  which  is  still  attended  by  many  of  our  oldest 
families.  On  his  return  from  his  last  visit  to  Holland,  of  which  we  have  spoken, 
Stuyvesant  brought  a  pear  tree  which  he  planted  on  his  farm.  It  survived  and 
bore  fruit  for  over  two  hundred  years.  It  stood  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Third 
Avenue  and  13th  Street,  where  a  tablet  (on  the  wall  of  the  building  now  standing 
there)  has  been  placed  by  the  Holland  Society  of  New  York  commemorating  the 
site.  When  it  finally  succumbed  to  a  particularly  vicious  storm  in  February, 
1867,  the  whole  town  felt  a  personal  loss.  No  other  landmark  was  so  universally 
known  or  loved.  A  small  portion  of  this  famous  tree  has  been  preserved  and  may 
be  seen  in  the  rooms  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  76th  to  77th  Streets, 
Central  Park  West. 


[186] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.    H.  C.  BROWN, 


g>t  ilark'0  (Eljurrl) 


THE  SECOND  OLDEST  CHURCH  EDIFICE  NOW  STANDING  ON  MAN- 
HATTAN ISLAND.  ON  THE  OLDEST  SITE  STILL  OCCUPIED  BY  A 
CHURCH  -THE  ORIGINAL  CHAPEL  IN  GOVERNOR  STUYVESANTS 
FARM  OR  BOUWERIE  —  NOW  AT  SECOND  AVENUE  AND  11th  STREET. 
HERE  HE  LIES  BURIED  IN  THE  VAULT  BELOW  THE  TABLET  IN  THE 
VESTIBULE. 

THIS  CHURCH  IS  RICH  IN  HISTORICAL  CONNECTION  WITH  THE 
DUTCH  PERIOD.  AND  WITHIN  ITS  WALLS  ARE  TABLETS  TO  THE 
MEMORY  OF  GOVERNOR  SLOUGHTER  (DIED  1691)  AND  GOVERNOR 
D  T  TOMPKINS  OTHER  NOTED  NAMES  ARE  MAYOR  PHILIP  HONE. 
DR  HARRIS.  EX-PRESIDENT  OF  COLUMBIA  AND  FIRST  RECTOR  OF 
THE  CHURCH.  AND  THOMAS  ADDIS  EMMET.  BROTHER  OF  ROBERT. 
THE  IRISH  PATRIOT  THE  BODY  OF  A  T  STEWART  WAS  INTERRED 
HERE   BUT  AFTERWARDS  STOLEN. 

INSIDE  ARE  MEMORIAL  TABLETS  TO  MANY  OLD  NEW  YORKERS.  ALSO 
HANDSOME  STUYVESANT  MEMORIAL  WINDOWS  ERECTED  BY  THE 
DAUGHTERS  OF  HOLLAND  DAMES  IT  IS  STILL  ATTENDED  BY  MANY 
OF  THE  OLDEST  FAMILIES  IN  TOWN. 

ONLY  TWO  OF  THESE  RARE  ORIGINAL  LITHOGRAPHS  ARE  KNOWN. 
THE  ONE  SHOWN  ABOVE  AND  THE  OTHER  IN  THE  PYNE  COLLECTION 

FHOM    THl    LUtLliMoN    t'l    MM,  liOltllM  l.UlllI 


Governor  Stuyvesant 


Incessant  bickerings  between  the  people  and  former  officials  had  so  broken 
down  the  spirit  of  the  settlers  that  Stuyvesant  found  his  task  well-nigh  impossible. 
Huge  financial  losses  had  also  added  tremendously  to  the  burden  of  taxes,  and 
bitterness  increased  rather  than  diminished.  Consequently,  when  Governor  Nicoll 
suddenly  appeared  in  the  Bay  before  the  Fort,  demanding  the  surrender  of  the 
city,  Stuyvesant  himself  was  the  only  man  among  them  willing  to  resist. 

Finding  himself  in  an  impossible  situation  and  desiring  to  avoid  the  useless 
shedding  of  blood,  Stuyvesant  capitulated  to  the  superior  forces  and  New  Amster- 
dam passed  into  the  hands  of  the  English  in  1664  and  was  renamed  by  them  New 
York  after  James,  Duke  of  York,  brother  of  Charles  II. 

The  incompetency  of  Dutch  officialdom  in  no  wise  reflects  upon  the  Dutch 
character  itself.  No  people  could  have  prospered  under  such  outrageous  misgov- 
ernment,  and  the  disaster  that  befel  Dutch  arms  in  America  was  a  thing  entirely 
apart  from  the  people  themselves.  They  have  left  an  undying  impress  upon  the 
City  of  New  York.  To  them  we  owe  our  religious  tolerance,  our  easy-going  ways 
and  our  utter  indifference  to  who  lives  next  door.  In  a  larger  and  more  idealistic 
sense,  however,  we  owe  much  that  makes  New  York  the  most  substantial  and  pro- 
gressive city  in  America;  and  that  peculiar  mixture  that  sets  our  town  apart  from 
others  arises  from  the  fusing  of  the  races  in  its  early  days.  While  the  stream  has 
flowed  into  a  common  channel,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  the  Dutch  have  preserved 
their  identity  through  all  these  changing  years,  and  the  great  City  of  New  York 
to  its  final  end  will  bear  the  impress  and  the  indelible  stamp  of  its  sturdy  foun- 
ders who  came  from  the  shores  of  the  Zuyder  Zee. 

NEW  YORK  AFTER  THE  SURRENDER 

The  rather  delicate  geographical  position  in  which  New  Amsterdam  was  situ- 
ated regarding  her  neighbors  was  a  source  of  weakness.  She  stood  in  a  sense  alone, 
and  though  innocent  herself  was  the  cause  of  constant  irritation  to  the  powerful 
British  Colonies  surrounding  her.  She  opposed  an  effectual  barrier  between  New 
England  and  Virginia  and  formed  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  the  westward  ex- 
pansion of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts.  Her  controversy  with  the  Swedish 
colony  in  Delaware,  and  the  impossibility  of  satisfactory  co-operation  with  the 
English  in  the  growing  tension  with  the  French  and  Indians,  all  contributed  to 
the  fear  and  distrust  with  which  she  was  regarded  by  the  English.  It  was  a  situa- 
tion, therefore,  which  was  bound  to  result  sooner  or  later  in  a  contest  for  suprem- 
acy, and  the  war  which  broke  out  between  England  and  Holland  merely  an- 
ticipated what  was  inevitable.  The  attack  coming  from  England  direct,  how- 
ever, avoided  to  a  gi-eat  extent  the  bitterness  of  feeling  which  would  have  resulted 
from  an  unsuccessful  combat  with  immediate  neighbors.  Other  influences  were 
also  at  work  to  accelerate  this  inevitable  result.  A  spirit  of  union  had  already 
unconsciously  been  sown  in  the  adjoining  settlements,  and  a  state  alien  in  thouglit 
and  aspirations  would  not  long  have  been  tolerated.  The  capture  of  New  Am- 
sterdam, therefore,  was  so  essentially  a  political  as  well  as  geographical  necessity  in 


[189] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


the  New  World,  that  its  absorption  by  the  Enghsh  was  tacitly  agreed  upon  by  the 
Dutch.  And  in  return  for  their  complaisance  the  Dutch  were  not  treated  as  con- 
quered enemies,  but  were  invited  to  continue  their  form  of  government  in  co-op- 
eration with  the  English,  The  change,  on  the  whole,  was  of  distinct  advantage  to 
the  Dutch.  It  removed  the  growing  hostility  and  distrust  of  a  powerful  people. 
It  opened  the  mighty  waters  of  the  Hudson  to  all  the  colonies,  and  last,  but  by  no 
means  least,  it  secured  a  direct  route  to  the  great  fur-bearing  region  to  the  north, 
and  at  a  later  date  placed  in  control  of  the  English  that  vast  natural  waterway  or 
"carry"  stretching  from  the  Hudson  to  the  St.  Lawrence.  In  the  French  and  In- 
dian War  this  proved  of  incalculable  value. 

Another  important  result  was  to  create  an  entirely  different  attitude  on  the 
part  of  the  people  toward  the  city.  It  was  no  longer  a  temporary  abiding  place 
but  a  home  in  which  the  future  belonged  to  them.  The  petty  restrictions  and  in- 
cessant meddling  of  the  West  India  Company  were  things  of  the  past.  A  man 
could  purchase  his  farm  or  his  dwelling  and  retain  it  for  all  time.  ^Vhatever 
value  he  imparted  to  his  property  could  not  be  sequestered  at  the  behest  of  a 
foreign  corporation.  This  change  was  of  vast  importance ;  news  of  it  reached  Hol- 
land and  the  stream  of  emigration,  which  had  been  more  or  less  constant  under  the 
supervision  of  the  West  India  Company,  now  continued  of  its  own  accord,  but  on 
a  scale  of  much  greater  prf)portions.  The  original  Dutch  strain  in  New  York 
therefore  increased  rather  than  diminished.  The  recapture  of  New  York  by  the 
Dutch  in  1673,  during  which  time  the  name  of  the  city  was  changed  to  New  Orange, 
and  of  the  Fort  to  Fort  Nassau,  was  of  such  brief  duration  as  to  be  of  no  par- 
ticular moment.  There  was  hardly  time  enough  for  the  Dutch  to  get  out  their 
Restitutio  picture  to  which  we  have  referred  and  have  a  celebration  ere  things 
were  back  in  their  old  channels. 

A  great  many  writers  have  striven  to  explain  why  a  native-born  New  Yorker 
is  about  the  hardest  thing  to  find  in  New  York.  The  best  answer  to  that  is — it 
isn't.  More  native  New  Yorkers  come  to  town  every  year  than  would  equal  the 
population  of  the  biggest  cities  west  of  Buffalo,  with  possibly  a  few  exceptions. 
But  they  don't  stay  here.  Cities  have  to  be  built  up  in  the  West,  in  the  North,  and 
in  the  South.  And  so  the  sons  and  daughters  of  New  York  hie  them  forth  to  do 
their  appointed  tasks.  In  almost  every  city  far  enough  away  from  the  commut- 
ing zone  to  make  the  city  inaccessible,  you  will  find  a  Society  of  New  Yorkers,  or 
an  Empire  State  Society,  or  some  other  outward  and  visible  sign  of  the  hanker- 
ing of  the  exile  for  a  sight  once  again  of  the  fleshpots  of  Egypt. 

"New  York,"  says  a  recent  gifted  writer,  "has  from  Revolutionary  times  ac- 
cepted with  equanimity  the  role  of  Siren  City;  indeed,  she  expects  novelists  and 
playwrights  to  portray  the  dangers  which  lurk  within  her  bosom  for  pure  young 
men  and  women  from  the  country.  Boston  and  Philadelphia  are.  Heaven  knows, 
not  free  from  evil,  but  there  is  something  faintly  ridiculous  in  the  idea  of  their 
luring  men  to  destruction." 

This  is  merely  another  way  of  describing  the  enigma  with  which  psychologists 
have  struggled  in  vain  concerning  the  peculiarity  of  New  York  in  its  spiritual 


[190] 


HaiUjimjtmi  Square  an  a  Parage  (^>rlu^u^ 


THIS  CURIOUS  OLD  LITHOGRAPH  RECALLS  THE  TIME  WHEN  WASH- 
INGTON SQUARE  WAS  ONE  OF  THE  SHOW  PLACES  OF  THE  TOWN. 
AND  WHERE  THE  LOCAL  MILITIA  PARADED  FOR  INSPECTION. 
THIS  VIEW  IS  UNIQUE  IN  THAT  IT  IS  FROMTHEORIGINALPICTURE 
IN  THE  POSSESSION  OF  THE  8ih  CO..  AND  THE  PRINCIPAL  HEADS 
ARE  DAGUERREOTYPES  TAKEN  BY  MEADE  BROS  .  WELL  KNOWN 
PHOTOGRAPHERS  IN  THOSE  DAYS.  AT  233  BROADWAY. 
IT  IS  A  COLORED  PICTURE  AND  WAS  CONSIDERED  SOMETHING  RE- 
MARKABLE IN  ITS  DAY.  AS  BOTH  PHOTOGRAPHY  AND  LITHOGRAPHY 
WERE  THEN  IN  THEIR  INFANCY,  IT  WAS  PUBLISHED  BY  OTTO  BOTT- 
CH1NGERAT  289  BROADWAY.  AND.  BESIDES  BEING  A  GOOD  PICTURE 
OF  THE  REGIMENT.  SHOWS  ALSO  THE  OLD  UNIVERSITY  BUILDING 
ANDTHE  OLD  HOUSES  WHICH  SU  RROU  N  DE  D  TH  E  SQUARE  IN  1852. 
WHEN  THE  POPULARITY  OF  THE  SQUARE  WAS  AT  ITS  HEIGHT. 

FftoM  THE   COLLECTION   OF   MRS    ROBERT   W    0£  FOREST. 


New  York  after  the  Surrender 


aspect.  No  one  can  imagine  the  original  Dutch  as  sponsors  of  the  lightness  and 
frivolity  of  our  city,  and  the  strait-laced  Puritans,  the  righteous  Palatines  and 
Huguenots,  the  stolid  English,  the  church-going  Scotch  and  Irish,  that  originally 
made  up  the  city's  population,  do  not  afford  an  explanation  of  New  York's  later 
social  phases.  It  is  apparently  something  that  "just  growed" — like  the  city  itself ; 
but,  in  any  event,  the  antiquarian  has  a  big  task  to  square  the  present  city  of  New 
York  with  its  origin. 

Once  under  way,  the  development  of  the  city  was  rapid  and  continuous.  From 
the  beginning  it  enjoyed  a  degree  of  freedom,  religious  and  pohtical,  in  marked 
contrast  with  its  neighbors.  That  spirit  of  tolerance  is  to-day  the  most  significant 
trait  in  its  every-day  life,  and  its  most  distinguishing  characteristic.  We  have  al- 
ready referred  to  the  retention  of  the  Dutch  tongue  by  the  English  as  the  official 
language  on  a  parity  with  the  English.  The  sharing  of  a  common  church  for  re- 
ligious devotion  was  along  the  same  amicable  lines.  No  wonder  the  Dutch,  freed 
from  innumerable  petty  interferences  of  both  a  public  and  private  nature,  took 
kindly  to  the  more  enlightened  policy  of  the  English.  And  the  lessons  taught  by 
this  decent  regard  for  the  feelings  of  others  have  ever  remained  a  guide  and  a 
mentor  to  the  people  of  this  city. 

The  rampant  cosmopolitanism  which  is  to-day  the  next  important  character- 
istic of  our  city  is  nothing  new  or  abnormal  in  the  annals  of  New  York.  If  a  town 
with  only  a  few  hundred  population  could  boast  of  eighteen  different  languages,  it 
is  not  surprising  that  to-day,  with  nearly  seven  and  a  half  millions,  it  is  a  fairly 
successful  competitor  of  the  Tower  of  Babel.  Some  people,  in  fact,  go  so  far  as 
to  say  that  the  Tower  would  be  a  bad  second.  However  that  may  be,  the  curious 
psychological  fact  remains,  that  New  York  has  played  true  to  form.  There  is 
nothing  new,  nothing  strange,  nothing  at  all  out  of  line  with  precedent,  in  the 
make-up  of  New  York's  population  to-day.  There  are  more  of  them;  that's  all. 
And  that  is  also  why  a  picture  of  the  Statue  of  Liberty  is  the  best  known  picture 
of  New  York  by  an  overwhelming  majority.  The  Wool  worth  Building,  the 
Singer,  Madison  Square  Garden,  and  the  Metropolitan  Building  are  all  more  or 
less  celebrated.  But  counting  the  number  of  people  who  have  seen  the  Statue  or 
have  heard  of  it,  the  others  are  far  in  the  shade. 

With  this  tolerant  spirit  as  a  basis,  and  with  friendly  instead  of  hostile  neigh- 
bors. New  York  soon  began  to  reap  the  advantages  of  its  naturally  superb  loca- 
tion. Historically,  the  enterprise  of  the  Dutch  in  settling  New  York  is  interest- 
ing, not  so  much  for  what  it  achieved  as  for  what  came  after.  In  this  way  it  as- 
sumes the  importance  which  belongs  to  the  beginning  of  a  new  era.  There  is  no 
reason,  however,  to  imagine  that  its  population  under  the  conditions  which  then 
prevailed  would  ever  increase  to  a  point  where  it  would  overcome  Indians,  French- 
men, and  Englishmen  and  finally  the  Crown  itself,  as  did  the  English.  But  it 
played  a  great  part  and  is  entitled  to  its  honors,  and  its  co-operation  from  this 
time  on  is  of  great  value  to  the  little  community. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  from  a  very  early  period  under  the  English,  New 
York  was  the  headquarters  of  a  rather  formidable  band  of  freebooters.    In  fact, 


[198] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


a  very  interesting  chapter  on  the  Pirates  of  New  York  could  be  written.  Writers 
of  that  period  refer  frequently  to  the  picturesque  figures  that  walked  the  streets, 
the  swarthy  faces,  and  the  mysterious  gatherings  in  some  of  the  taverns  near  the 
river.  Costly  fabrics,  rare  laces,  jewels,  silks  and  Oriental  damasks  were  no  uncom- 
mon sight  in  New  York  even  among  a  people  not  renowned  for  worldly  wealth. 
The  Spanish  Main  and  the  Caribbean  were  not  far  from  New  York,  the  Yankee 
clipper  ship  never  was  surpassed,  and  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  were  easily 
obtained.  In  fact,  the  almost  constant  series  of  wars  in  which  England  engaged 
laid  open  the  rich  Oriental  trade  of  Spain,  Portugal,  and  Holland  to  the  mercy 
of  any  hardy  adventurer — of  which  New  York  had  more  than  its  share. 

To  a  very  great  extent  privateering  was  recognized  as  a  legitimate  calling, 
and  the  port  of  New  York  became  noted  as  headquarters  for  the  most  picturesque 
and  daring  freebooters  that  ever  cut  a  throat  or  scuttled  a  ship.  It  was  not  an 
unusual  thing  for  some  quiet  well-known  merchants  in  New  York  to  foregather  at 
the  Coffee  House  and  subscribe  to  shares  in  an  undertaking  the  particulars  of 
which  it  were  wise  not  to  investigate  too  closely.  I>ord  Bcllomont  was  known  to 
haA-e  been  concerned  in  the  adventures  of  Captain  Kidd.  And  it  is  an  open  ques- 
tion whether  Captain  Kidd  wasn't  sacrificed  to  save  the  man  "higher  up,"  when 
the  connection  between  piratical  outfits  and  influential  citizens  became  generally 
known.  While  this  period  lasted  New  York  certainly  became  familiar  with  many 
unusual  episodes  on  her  streets;  and  her  harbor  was  dotted  with  low,  rakish-look- 
ing craft  that  corresponded  perfectly  with  the  traditional  description  of  the  ortho- 
dox pirate-ship. 

The  arrest  and  subsequent  execution  of  Captain  Kidd  sounded  the  first  note 
of  warning,  and  thenceforth  operations  of  a  privateering  nature  were  conducted  on 
a  more  legitimate  basis.  The  connection  of  well-known  names  with  these  dubious 
enterprises  finally  ceased. 

The  peculiar  atmosphere  of  a  seaport  town,  with  all  that  freedom  from  con- 
ventionality which  the  term  implies,  has  remained  with  New  York  from  its  earliest 
days.  It  has  never  ceased  to  be  the  jjrincipal  gateway  through  which  have  passed 
the  millions  of  emigrants  from  other  lands.  And  the  first  impression  which  the 
new  arrival  receives  of  the  land  of  libertv  is  what  he  absorbs  from  his  view  of  New 
York. 

Of  these  vast  numbers  of  new  arrivals  many  are  destined  for  the  far  West 
and  other  points,  but  no  small  proportion  of  them  never  leave  the  city.  In  this 
respect  the  atmosphere  of  our  town  is  a  thing  apart  from  its  neighbors.  The  news 
from  the  present  great  European  war  occupies  the  front  pages  of  every  paper,  and 
the  papers  are  printed  in  all  languages — Yiddish,  Polish,  Greek,  Hungarian,  Ger- 
man, Swedish,  Russian,  Slavic,  Italian,  French  and  English.  About  the  only  lan- 
guage omitted  is  the  original  Dutch  of  our  forefathers.  And  each  of  these  papers 
finds  readers  enough  to  make  the  properties  valuable. 

In  other  cities  the  war  news  occupies  a  relatively  insignificant  position.  In 
the  early  days  of  the  war  it  was  only  in  New  York  that  great  crowds  gathered  in 
front  of  the  newspaper  bulletins  and  argued  the  whole  day  and  night  without 


[  194  ] 


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New  York  after  the  Surrender 


intermission,  and  for  nearly  the  whole  of  the  first  year — and  again  we  are  re- 
minded that  it  is,  as  it  was  in  the  beginning,  a  City  of  All  Nations. 

Paradoxical  as  it  may  seem  no  city  in  the  Union  makes  so  conspicuous,  so 
lavish  and  so  constant  a  display  of  the  American  flag  as  does  the  City  of  New 
York.  Its  more  than  five  hundred  and  eighty  public  schools  make  a  fine  nucleus, 
but  in  point  of  numbers  and  display  the  private  buildings  where  the  custom  is  ob- 
served far  exceed  tliem. 

This  constant  influx  of  new  and  outgo  of  old  residents  has  its  advantages.  It 
keeps  the  city  young;  it  provides  it  with  an  abundance  of  unskilled  labor;  and 
while  the  arrivals  greatly  exceed  the  departures,  the  former  are  not  all  from  the 
poorer  sections  of  Europe.  From  every  quarter  of  America  men  of  enterprise  and 
accomplishment  are  drawn  to  the  great  capital  of  the  New  World,  where  the  op- 
portunity for  greater  achievement  makes  an  irresistible  appeal.  There  are  more 
Southerners  here  than  in  Atlanta;  more  Westerners  than  in  any  city  but  Chi- 
cago, and  more  New  Englanders  than  in  Boston.  It  is  therefore  difficult  to  trace 
the  existence  of  any  particularly  dominant  type  such  as  appeared  in  the  severely 
religious  land  of  the  Puritans.  In  their  zeal  for  the  Constitution  our  National 
legislators  overlooked  the  one  best  bet  when  they  declared  the  Income  Tax  uncon- 
stitutional. A  moment's  reflection,  wherein  they  saw  that  our  city  would  pay  an 
overwhelming  proportion  of  this  tax,  convinced  them  that  they  were  all  wrong 
and  that  an  income  tax  was  just  what  the  country  needed.  Thus  is  New  York 
beloved  of  the  nation  at  large. 

The  evolution  of  liberal  institutions  was  quite  as  marked  and  quite  as  much 
in  evidence  in  New  York  as  it  was  in  any  of  the  Colonies.  No  event  equalled  in 
this  respect  the  struggle  and  final  triumph  of  the  freedom  of  the  press.  No  other 
colony  dared  follow  the  lead  of  New  York.  During  the  temporary  suppression  of 
Zenger's  Journal,  efforts  were  made  to  print  the  offending  sheet  in  other  cities,  but 
none  would  dare  the  risk.  As  we  have  already  recited,  both  the  Boston  Tea  Party 
and  the  Boston  Massacre  had  their  counterpart  in  New  York  prior  to  similar 
events  in  Boston;  and  in  the  peremptory  demand  for  the  stamps  during  the  Stamp 
Act  trouble,  the  battle  of  the  Revolution  would  have  commenced  right  here  in 
New  York  instead  of  at  Lexington,  had  not  the  authorities  yielded  and  delivered 
the  offending  documents  to  the  people. 

In  all  the  stirring  events  leading  up  to  the  Revolution,  New  York  bore  a 
distinguished  part.  Her  merchants  were  the  only  ones  to  adhere  to  the  non-impor- 
tation agreement,  and  no  city  suffered  half  so  much  from  the  war  as  did  New 
York.  For  nearly  eight  years  the  city  was  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Twice 
disastrous  fires  swept  over  her  during  this  period.  Her  commerce  was  well-nigh 
destroyed  and  her  population  dwindled  one  half.  Curiously  enough,  historians  are 
singularly  silent  on  the  honors  won  by  New  York,  and  New  Yorkers  themselves, 
satisfied  with  the  record  itself,  are  little  inclined  to  battle  for  the  country's  plau- 
dits to  which  they  are  so  justly  entitled.  It  is  idle  to  speculate  upon  what  New 
York  would  be  were  it  also  the  capital  of  the  country,  politically  as  well  as  com- 
mercially.  It  was  perhaps  too  much  to  expect  that  the  other  cities  would  concede 


[197] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


so  much  of  an  advantage  to  New  York  as  this  would  undoubtedly  have  been.  But 
in  view  of  past  events  and  future  possibilities,  it  is  quite  certain  that,  had  New 
York  been  selected  as  the  nation's  capital,  we  would  have  a  city  of  even  greater 
importance  and  pre-eminence  than  we  have  to-day.  And  while  we  outrank  both 
London  and  Paris  in  point  of  mere  numbers,  it  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  we  can- 
not rank  with  them  as  we  would,  were  we  at  the  same  time  the  capital  of  the  Na- 
tion. 

Perhaps  in  this  little  digression  we  have  departed  somewhat  from  the  main 
idea  of  this  article.  The  seeming  digression  is  permissible,  however,  when  we  re- 
member that  the  pictures  tell  the  story  of  old  New  York  only  in  part.  We  have 
added  enough  to  supplement  and  make  clear  the  events  that  transpired  in  the 
streets  and  the  little  houses  you  have  been  looking  at.  For  New  York  is  a  city  of 
heart  and  brain  and  conscience,  as  well  as  steel  and  concrete.  We  hope  in  this  way 
to  have  passed  in  review  the  stirring  events  and  the  notable  achievements  of  those 
who  went  before  us  in  the  making  of  old  New  York. 

No  man  can  tell  the  whole  story  of  New  York  in  one  book.  The  other  pages 
and  other  pictures  will,  however,  add  many  details  to  this  brief  outline  and  at  an- 
other time  we  may  continue  the  narrative  which  for  the  present  we  must  now  bring 
to  a  close. 


[198] 


THE  SOUTH  PORTICO  OF  COLUMBIA  COLLLGt  ABOUT  1874  SHOW- 
ING GROUP  OF  STUDENTS,  SOME  WITH  THE  THEN  POPULAR  SILK 
HAT     A  VERY  RARE  PHOTOGRAPH 

(  KftM    THE    i:ntll(IION    of    Mil,  )l.  D  UAIICOtK 


CHAPTER  V 


REMINISCENCES  OF  OLD  COLUMBIA  COLLEGE 

RICHARD  T.  BANG,  A.M.,  M.D. 

There  have  been  three  Columbias — the  older  one,  founded  as  "King's  College," 
or  "The  College  of  the  Province  of  New  York,"  in  1754,  which  became  Columbia 
College  after  the  Revolution  in  1784,  and  which  flourished  at  Park  Place,  Mur- 
ray and  Church  Streets,  until  1857 ;  the  old  one,  which  was  located  on  the  square 
block  from  49th  to  50th  Street,  and  from  Madison  to  Fourth  Avenue,  from  1857 
to  1897,  and  the  new  one,  proudly  standing,  since  1897,  on  the  acropolis  of  the 
City  on  Morningside  Heights.  In  1890,  under  President  Seth  Low,  the  old  modest 
College  was  transformed  into  the  present  new  and  magnificent  Columbia  Univer- 
sity, "NulU  Secundus." 

My  reminiscences  are  of  the  Old  College  at  the  49th  Street  site,  where  I  was 
a  student  from  1872  to  1876.  In  the  Seventies  the  annual  number  of  matriculants 
at  the  School  of  Arts  was  about  120.  At  the  University  now,  the  number  of  students 
attending  all  of  the  schools  is  16,144. 

When  the  removal  to  the  49th  Street  site  took  place  in  1857,  there  were  no 
ear-tracks  on  Madison  Avenue  above  42nd  Street,  and  there  were  but  few  houses 
in  that  neighborhood.  The  old  buildings  that  stood  on  the  block  were  to  be  used 
as  the  temporary  home  of  the  College,  the  intention  of  the  trustees  being  to  build 
a  permanent  home,  facing  Fifth  Avenue,  on  the  block  from  49th  to  50th  Street  and 
from  Fifth  Avenue  to  Madison  Avenue.  For  many  obvious  reasons,  this  project 
never  materialized. 

I  well  remember  the  first  glimpse  I  had  of  Old  Columbia.  I  had  been  pre- 
pared at  school  and  by  private  tutors  for  a  European  education  and  was  spending 


[201] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


a  final  delightful  evening  with  niy  French  teacher  who  lived  on  30th  Street,  near 
Broadway.  It  was  a  balmy  night  in  June,  1872,  and  about  a  dozen  young  gentle- 
men had  foregathered  there.  One  of  these  was  Itudolph  Aronson,  afterwards  the 
celebrated  musical  director  and  manager  of  the  New  York  Casino,  who  had  with 
him  the  most  wonderful  collection  of  autographs  I  had  ever  seen.  I  well  remem- 
ber the  reluctance  with  which  1  gave  up  the  inspection  of  this  autograph  album,  in 
order  to  accept  our  host's  invitation  to  attend  the  Goodwood  Cup  Celebration  of 
the  Class  of  '73  at  Columbia  College.  We  all  walked  up  Fifth  Avenue,  which  was 
then  entirely  and  exclusively  residential,  and,  on  the  way,  when  I  deplored  the  fact 
to  my  teacher  that  I  would  soon  be  obliged  to  go  abroad  to  stay  indefinitely,  he 
suggested  to  me  that  I  might  try  the  entrance  examinations  at  Columbia,  which 
were  to  take  place  during  the  following  week,  without  saying  anything  about  it  at 
home.  I  have  never  forgotten  that  first  evening  I  s^Jent  on  the  Old  College 
grounds.  First  and  foremost  came  the  students  in  their  caps  and  gowns,  and  then 
the  many  lovely,  beautifully-gowned  girls,  and  the  speeches,  and  the  songs,  and  the 
cheers,  and  last,  but  not  least,  the  dancing  to  the  music  of  Grafulla's  7th  Regiment 
Band.  In  those  days  the  nmsic  for  all  festive  occasions  was  furnished  by  Bern- 
stein, Lander,  Gihiiore,  Eben,  or  GrafuUa,  and  Strauss's  waltzes  were  the  chief 
selections  played.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  I  was  charmed  and  delighted,  and  that 
I  required  no  additional  incentive,  for  I  passed  my  entrance  examinations  readily, 
and  with  the  consent  of  my  parents,  I  became  a  member  of  the  Class  of  '76. 

In  the  Fall  of  1872  our  Freshman  year  began.  All  of  the  students  of  the 
College  attended  Chapel  from  9:30  to  10  a.  m.  and  each  class  had  three  recitations, 
or  lectures,  one  from  10  to  11  a.  m.,  another  from  11  to  Noon,  and  a  third  from 
Noon  to  1  p.  M.  Between  hours  we  drifted  around  the  Campus,  or  in 
the  old  College  buildings  (afterwards  so  aptly  named  the  "Maison  De  Punk"), 
and  overstayed  our  limit  of  five  minutes  recess  between  hours,  in  the  Cloak 
Room  of  the  basement.  There  were  no  dormitories  in  those  days,  and  after 
one  o'clock,  everybody,  as  a  rule,  went  home.  Our  studies  were  possibly  fewer  and 
less  difficult  than  the  curriculum  of  the  School  of  Arts  demands  to-day.  They  con- 
sisted briefly  of  English,  Greek,  Latin,  ancient  and  modern  history,  chemistry, 
geology,  astronomy,  all  of  the  branches  of  mathematics,  including  algebra,  trigo- 
nometry and  mensuration,  analytical  geometry  and  calculus,  physics,  etc.  The 
list  of  professors  was  not  a  large  one.  It  was  headed  by  President  Barnard,  and  it 
included  Professors  Drisler,  Short,  Schmidt,  Joy,  Peck,  Nairne,  Rood,  Merriam 
and  Van  Amringe. 

President  Barnard  was  always  visible  at  Chapel,  frequently  in  the  President's 
Room,  occasionally  at  college  functions,  and  once  in  a  while,  when  he  walked  across 
the  Campus  on  his  way  to  and  from  his  residence,  which  stood  on  the  College 
grounds,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  49th  Street  and  Fourth  Avenue.  We  knew 
of  him,  however,  as  a  very  learned  man  who  had  richly  earned  the  many  honorary 
degrees  that  had  been  conferred  upon  him.  He  was  very  deaf  and  always  used  a 
speaking-tube,  when  carrying  on  a  conversation.  He  had  the  reputation  of  being 
a  most  just  and  amiable  gentleman,  but  at  times,  he  could  be  decidedly 


[  202  ] 


SITE  NOW  COVERED  WITH  PRIVATE  RESIDENCES. 

flUlM  mC  COCLtCllON  of    MH.M.  I).  HAHCOCR. 


Reminiscences  of  Old  Columbia  College 


brusque.  I  remember  being  in  the  President's  Room  in  the  beginning  of 
my  Sophomore  year,  when  the  "grande  dame"  mother  of  a  lazy  student  who 
had  been  dropped  from  his  class  was  explaining  (necessarily,  on  account  of  the 
President's  infirmity,  in  a  loud  voice)  that  she  wanted  her  son  reinstated,  and  that 
she  would  provide  him  with  all  kinds  of  special  tutors,  if  this  were  done.  The 
President,  after  getting  the  young  man's  record  from  a  book  on  his  desk,  politely 
replied  that  numerous  attempts  had  been  made  to  induce  the  youth  to  keep  up 
with  his  class,  all  of  which  had  failed,  and  he  assured  the  mother  that  further  ef- 
forts would,  in  his  opinion,  be  useless.  When  the  mother,  who  was  evidently  unac- 
customed to  have  any  wish  she  expressed  denied  her,  insisted  and  repeated  her  de- 
mand, the  President  quietly  laid  his  end  of  the  speaking-tube  aside  and  said  firmly 
and  bluntly,  "No,  madam,  that  can  not  be  done.  Besides  it  is  a  mistake  to  waste 
a  $4,000  education  on  a  $4  boy."  The  lady  looked  daggers  and  flounced  out  of 
the  room,  while  the  President  calmly  returned  to  the  work  lying  on  his  desk  before 
him. 

Professor  Drisler  was  our  especial  favorite,  and  because  we  were  so  fond  of 
him,  the  Greek  that  he  taught  so  thoroughly  became  one  of  our  easiest  and  plea- 
santest  studies.  He  had  the  biggest  and  the  kindest  heart  of  all  of  the  professors, 
and  whenever  we  were  in  trouble,  he  was  always  ready  to  advise  and  assist  us.  I 
can  best  and  most  briefly  describe  him  in  the  words  of  Hamlet,  "He  was  a  man, 
take  him  for  all  in  all,  I  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again." 

Professor  Short  taught  Latin.  He  was  a  good  scholar  and  an  able  teacher, 
but  he  was  always  so  dignified  and  exclusive,  that  he  never  became  popular  with 
the  boys.  I  am  afraid  that  was  one  of  the  reasons  why  "Saw  my  leg  off -short"  was 
one  of  the  refrains  most  frequently  sung  by  the  students  of  those  days. 

Professor  Schmidt  was  our  teacher  in  Grecian  Antiquities  and  in  German.  He 
also  gave  us  topics,  on  which  we  wrote  essays,  and  these  essays  he  kindly  and  care- 
fully corrected  and  criticized.  Some  of  his  favorite  comments,  written  by  him  at 
the  end  of  our  compositions,  were:  "Somewhat  too  sententious,"  and  "Not  always 
happy  in  expression."  He  was  a  most  delightful  gentleman,  but  not  a  good  dis- 
ciplinarian, of  which  fact  many  of  the  boys  took  advantage  at  times. 

Professor  Joy  was  a  quiet,  unassuming  lovable  man  who  presided  over 
the  Department  of  Chemistry  and  Geology.  I  remember  an  incident  which 
happened  in  his  class-room  as  he  was  completing  his  lectures  on  the  manu- 
facture of  beer.  He  had  just  made  the  statement,  "Thus  you  see,  gentle- 
men, that  the  manufacture  of  beer  depends  entirely  on  the  germination  of  the  malt," 
when  he  was  interrupted  by  an  impulsive  student  who  sat  on  one  of  the  upper 
benches  of  the  amphitheatre  and  who  blurted  out,  "And  is  that  the  reason.  Pro- 
fessor, the  German  nation  is  so  fond  of  beer?"  After  the  laughter  had  subsided, 
during  which  the  expression  on  the  Professor's  face  never  changed,  he  went  on  and 
concluded  his  lecture,  without  taking  any  notice  of  the  interruption. 

Professor  Peck  was  a  genial,  rugged,  just  man,  but  his  West  Point  training- 
had  made  him  a  martinet.  He  taught  us  higher  mathematics  and  astronomy,  and 
he  succeeded  in  making  those  studies  most  attractive  to  us. 


[  205  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Professor  Nairne  was  a  most  erudite  Scotch  scholar,  but  the  boys  quickly  dis- 
covered that  he  was  no  disciplinarian.  He  taught  us  English  belles-lettres  and  lis- 
tened to  our  recitations  and  criticized  them.  Many  a  notice  have  I  seen  on  the 
Cloak-room  bulletin-board,  announcing  the  fact  that  there  would  be  a  "matinee" 
in  Professor  Nairne's  room  that  day. 

Professor  Rood  was  very  tall  and  slender  and  the  fact  that  he  always  wore 
a  red  neck-tie  added,  in  our  opinion,  to  his  Mephistophelian  appearance.  He  taught 
physics  and  was  master  of  his  subject.  He  had  a  peculiar  way  of  shrugging  his 
shoulders,  a  "French  shrug"  we  used  to  call  it,  when  asked  a  question,  and  if  he  re- 
plied at  all,  his  answer  was  most  laconic.  His  room  was  on  the  top  floor  of  an 
annex  to  the  old  building,  and  his  lectures  were  attended  jointly  by  a  class  from 
the  College  and  a  class  from  the  School  of  Mines.  We  had  three  or  four  flights 
of  stairs  to  climb,  and  we  always  marched  up  these  stairs  in  lock-step,  singing  some 
marching,  or  rather  stamping  song,  like  "The  Mulligan  Guards,"  made  popular  by 
Harrigan  and  Hart,  who  were  New  York's  chief  comedians  in  those  days.  There 
was  a  small  ante-room  to  Professor  Rood's  amphitheatre,  where  the  sixty  or  more 
students  left  their  hats,  superfluous  books  and  other  impedimenta.  It  was  a  com- 
mon occurrence,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  lecture,  to  find  all  of  the  hats,  books,  etc., 
piled  up  in  one  heap  in  the  centre  of  the  ante-room  floor,  where  each  man  would 
finally  get  his  belongings  after  much  difficulty  and  exertion. 

Professor  Merriam  was  one  of  our  youngest  teachers,  and  he  officiated  in  the 
departments  of  Greek  and  Latin  din-ing  our  Freshman  and  Sophomore  years. 
He  was  thorough,  kind  and  painstaking,  and  we  were  all  very  fond  of  him. 

Last,  but  by  no  means  least,  came  Professor  Van  Amringe,  who  was  then  in 
his  prime, — about  40  years  old.  He  was  the  adjunct  professor  of  mathematics 
under  Professor  Peck,  and  he  afterwards  became  the  Dean  of  the  College  and  its 
"Best-loved  Alumnus."  So  much  has  been  said  and  written  about  "Van  Am," 
in  prose  and  in  poetry,  during  his  long  and  busy  lifetime  and  since  his  recent  and 
deeply-lamented  decease,  that  I  could  add  but  little  that  is  new  in  this  necessarily 
brief  recapitulation.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  Cowper's  lines,  in  my  opinion,  describe 
him  well — 

"An  honest  man,  close-buttoned  to  the  chin, 
Broadcloth  without,  and  a  warm  heart  within." 

When  I  entered  College,  there  were  about  forty-five  members  in  my  class. 
Thirty-seven  of  these  were  graduated,  and  about  twenty-seven  of  them  are  still  liv- 
ing. About  sixteen  of  these  are  lawyers,  five  are  ministers,  three  studied  medi- 
cine, and  three  are  educators.  This  roster  includes  the  names  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen: Rev.  Harold  Arrowsmith,  of  Brooklyn;  Herman  Drisler,  retired  lawyer 
and  educator,  of  New  York;  P.  Henry  Dugro,  Justice,  Supreme  Court  of  New 
York;  Richard  T.  Ely,  Professor  of  Political  Economy  at  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin; Aymar  Embury,  lawyer,  of  New  York;  Louis  O.  Ivey,  retired  lawj^er  and 
now  treasurer  of  the  Whitlock  Cordage  Co.,  of  New  York;  Townsend  Jones,  Ed- 
win C.  Kent,  and  Theodore  F.  Lozier,  lawyers,  of  New  York ;  Rev.  Cornelius  W. 
Morrow,  Professor  of  Psychology  at  Fisk  University,  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  Freder- 


[  206  ] 


A  CHARMING  VIEW  OF  OLD  MURRAY  STREET  IN  1822  WHEN  IT 
SLOPED  TO  THE  RIVER  AND  WAS  THE  ABODE  OF  MANY  OF  NEW 
YORK  S  BEST  FAMILIES  WATER  WAS  DRAWN  FROM  THE  PUMP  ON 
THE  CORNER  AND  CONVEYED  TO  THE  HOUSES  IN  BUCKETS  CARRIED 
IN  PAIRS  ACROSS  THE  SHOULDERS  AS  SHOWN  IN  THE  LEFT  OF  THE 
PICTURE  AND  BY  THE  URCHIN  IN  THE  CENTRE 

THE  CELEBRATED  DR.  JOHN  M  MASON  PREACHED  IN  THE  MURRAY 
STREET  CHURCH.  SHOWN  IN  THE  DISTANCE.  AND  WAS  ONE  OF  THE 
MOST  POPULAR  DIVINES  OF  THE  DAY  THIS  IS  THE  ORIGINAL  DRAW- 
ING BY  MAVERICK.  WHO  LIVED  IN  THE  SECOND  HOUSE  ON  RIGHT 
AND  FROM  WHICH  THE  VALENTINE     MANUAL     PRINT  WAS  TAKEN. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    PERCY   R    PYNE,  2ND 


Reminiscences  of  Old  Columbia  College 


ick  Oakes,  retired  physician  and  now  a  member  of  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange ; 
Washington  E.  Page,  lawyer,  of  New  York;  Rev.  Edward  Pratt,  of  Shoshone, 
Idaho ;  Louis  C.  Raegener,  retired  lawyer,  of  New  York ;  Egbert  G.  Rankin,  phy- 
sician, of  New  York;  James  A.  Renwick,  lawyer,  of  New  York;  William  F.  A. 
Von  Sachs,  retired  lawyer,  now  living  in  Vienna,  Austria;  Eugene  Seligman  and 
George  W.  Seligman,  lawyers,  of  New  York;  Isaac  N.  Seligman,  banker,  of  New 
York;  Du  Bois  Smith  and  WiUiam  E.  Ver  Planck,  lawyers,  of  New  York;  Irvin 
A.  Sprague,  broker,  of  New  York ;  William  C.  Thayer,  Professor  of  English  at 
Lehigh  University,  Bethlehem,  Pa. ;  Montgomery  H.  Throop,  retired  minister,  of 
New  York;  Rev.  Leighton  Williams,  of  New  York;  and  Richard  T.  Bang,  phy- 
sician, of  New  York.  All  of  our  teachers  are  dead. 

The  chief  student  celebrations  of  Old  Columbia  were  "The  Semi- Annuals," 
"The  Burial  of  the  Ancient,"  "The  Goodwood  Cup  Celebration"  and  "Class  Day." 

.  "The  Semi- Annuals"  were  held  every  February  at  the  Academy  of  Music  on 
14th  Street,  after  the  semi-annual  college  examinations.  Two  members  of  each 
class  were  elected  to  deliver  original  orations,  and  the  topics  selected  were  fre- 
quently most  weird  and  uninteresting  ones.  GrafuUa's  or  Gilmore's  music  in  be- 
tween the  orations  was,  in  my  opinion,  the  chief  attraction,  serving,  as  it  frequently 
did,  as  an  invitation  to  many  a  delightful  dance  in  the  halls,  boxes  and  corridors  of 
the  spacious  old  play-house.  I  remember,  on  the  one  occasion  on  which  I  had  the 
honor  of  speaking  at  a  Semi- Annual,  I  had  selected  the  cheerful  topic,  "An  Hour 
in  Trinity  Church-yard,"  and  as  I  concluded  my  oration  with  the  statement  "And 
I  cherish  amongst  my  recollections  of  time  spent  usefully  and  well — An  Hour  in 
Trinity  Church-yard,"  and  listened  to  the  perfunctory  applause  that  followed,  I 
was  convinced  that  the  only  person  in  that  audience  who  had  been  interested  and 
who  had  appreciated  my  efforts,  was  my  mother.  Some  few  years  after  we  were 
graduated,  these  Semi- Annuals  were  wisely  abandoned  and  now,  I  believe,  the  boys 
have  a  dance  at  Delmonico's  instead. 

At  the  end  of  the  Sophomore  year,  we  celebrated  "The  Burial — or  Cremation 
— of  the  Ancient."  In  other  words,  we  burned,  with  much  pomp  and  ceremony, 
Boyesen's  Book  on  Grecian  Antiquities,  because  we  were  glad  to  get  rid  of  this  dry 
and  uninteresting  study.  Preceded  by  a  band  of  music  playing  dirges,  a  proces- 
sion of  students,  in  cap  and  gown,  formed  at  the  Worth  Monument  at  26th  Street 
and  marched  up  Fifth  Avenue  to  the  College.  On  the  Campus  a  large  bonfire  had 
been  built  and  there,  with  a  poem,  an  oration,  and  much  singing  and  snake-danc- 
ing, "old  Bo"  was  properly  incinerated.  I  happened  to  be  the  orator  at  the  '76 
Burial,  and  I  remember  telling  my  impatient  and  turbulent  auditors,  that  "inas- 
much as  he  had  earned  a  reward,  we  ought  to  reward  him  with  an  urn."  The  cele- 
bration usually  ended  with  a  collation  and  a  "song-fest"  at  Fritz's  Hall  on  50th 
Street,  between  Fourth  and  Lexington  Avenues,  which  place  was  the  students'  ren- 
dezvous in  those  days. 

"The  Goodwood  Cup  Celebration"  occurred  at  the  end  of  the  Junior  year. 
This  cup  was  a  loving-cup  given  to  the  most  popular  man  in  his  class  by  his  class- 
mates.   Bob  Townsend  was  the  recipient  from  my  class.    Bob  afterwards  became 


[  209  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  Nkw  York 


Colonel  Robert  Townsend,  a  member  of  Governor  Hill's  staff,  and  be  was  also, 
for  many  years,  an  Assistant  District  Attorney  under  Colonel  Fellows  and  Delan- 
cey  Nicoll.  Wben  he  retired  from  tbe  District  Attorney's  office  some  years  ago,  I 
was  present  at  the  dinner  tendered  to  him  by  his  friends  and  colleagues  at  the 
Hotel  Savoy  in  this  city.  On  this  occasion  another  loving-cup  was  presented  to 
him,  and  I  reminded  him  of  the  '7G  Goodwood  Cup.  With  tears  in  his  eyes  he  told 
me  how  much  more  he  had  appreciated  the  College  honor  that  had  been  bestowed 
upon  him  in  his  early  youth.  Colonel  Townsend  died  suddenly  only  a  few  short 
months  ago.  The  "Goodwood  Cup  Celebration"  consisted  chiefly  of  two  orations, 
one  delivered  by  the  student  who  presented  the  cup  on  behalf  of  its  donors,  and  the 
other,  a  reply  by  the  Cup  Recipient.  The  rest  of  the  celebration  was  a  dance,  with 
a  collation. 

"Class  Day"  was,  of  course,  the  Senior  year  celebration.  The  exercises  con- 
sisted in  reading  a  History  of  the  Class,  placing  a  Class  Memorial  Plate  some- 
where on  the  grounds,  delivering  tiie  Class-Day  Oration,  reading  the  Class-Day 
Poem,  planting  the  Class  Ivy,  smoking  the  Class-Pipe  and  saluting  the  Old 
Rooms.  In  between  these  exercises  three  or  four  songs,  with  original  words,  were 
sung,  usually  the  Class- Song,  the  Song  of  the  Pipe  and  the  Parting  Song.  The 
entertainment  always  ended  with  dancing. 

There  were,  I  think,  two  College  papers  which  existed  at  Old  Columbia  dur- 
ing the  Seventies — "The  Cap  and  Gown"  and  "The  Spectator,"  both  excellent 
publications,  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the  undergraduate  body  and  managed  and 
run  by  the  students.  In  the  Junior  year  the  "Columbiad"  was  published.  This 
was  a  handsome  magazine,  sometimes  a  book,  recording  all  of  the  occurrences  of 
the  past  year  at  College,  with  full  information  concerning  athletic  contests,  mem- 
bership in  societies,  etc.  It  was,  in  short,  a  College  Almanac,  and  each  Junior  class 
tried  to  issue  a  Columbiad  which  was  an  improvement  on  its  immediate  predeces- 
sors. 

The  Literary  Societies  were,  of  course,  Philolexia  and  Peithologia.  In  the 
later  Seventies,  a  third  Society  came  into  existence,  the  Barnard,  named  after  the 
President. 

There  were  about  eight  or  ten  chapters  representing  the  principal  Greek  Let- 
ter Fraternities  of  the  country  at  Columbia  in  those  days,  together  with  many 
exclusive  smaller  societies.  Amongst  the  National  Greek  Letter  Fraternities 
represented  were:  Alpha  Delta  Phi,  Delta  Kappa  Epsilon,  Psi  Upsilon,  Phi 
Kappa  Psi,  Delta  Psi,  and  Delta  Phi. 

Rowing,  foot-ball,  baseball  and  general  athletics  were  our  chief  pastimes.  We 
had  a  boat-house  on  the  Harlem  River,  just  below  the  Railroad  Bridge  at  125th 
Street,  which  was  the  Mecca  of  many  students  on  Saturdays  and  Holidays  in  the 
spring  and  fall  of  the  year.  Our  crew,  although  Columbia  began  its  rowing  exis- 
tence at  Springfield,  Mass.,  on  the  Connecticut  River  in  1873,  was  victorious  at 
Saratoga  in  1874  and  came  in  second  at  Saratoga  in  1875.  Three  members  of 
my  class,  Jasper  T.  Goodwin,  Irvin  A.  Sprague  and  Isaac  N.  Seligman,  rowed 


[210] 


r 


®l|r  (Dlb  Niirtl)  iutrlj  (Eliurrlj.  iFultim  g-trrrt.  rur.  liilUam  S-trrrt 


FOR  MANY  YEARS  THIS  WAS  A  VERY  POPULAR  CHURCH  DOWNTOWN 
FORMING  THE  THIRD  OF  THE  DUTCH  CHURCHES --THE  SOUTH  BEING 
IN  GARDEN  STREET  THE  MIDDLE  ON  NASSAU,  AFTERWARDS  THE 
POST  OFFICE.  AND  THE  NORTH  ON  FULTON  STREET 
NOONDAY  PRAYER  MEETINGS  ARE  STILL  HELD  IN  THE  BACK  PART  OF 
THE  OLD  CHURCH  STILL  STANDING,  AS  A  CONDITION  OF  THE  ORIGI- 
NAL GIFT  OF  THE  LAND  SPECIFIED  THAT  RELIGIOUS  SERVICES  MUST 
ALWAYS  BE  HELD  THERE  THE  GREAT  PAINT  HOUSE  OF  F  W  OEVOE 
a  C  T.  RAYNOLDS  CO  NOW  HAS  THE  BUILDING 


Reminiscences  of  Old  Columbia  College 


in  the  '74  and  '75  boats.  Jasper  T.  Goodwin  was  the  stroke  and  did  much  to  bring 
the  colors  of  Columbia  to  the  front. 

Football  at  Columbia  had  its  beginnings  in  about  1870,  the  game  in  those  days 
being  played  with  twenty  men  on  a  side.  The  only  place  we  had  for  practice  was 
the  so-called  Campus,  or  patch  of  lawn,  skirted  by  trees,  in  front  of  the  49th 
Street  side  of  the  College.  Our  twenty  in  the  Seventies  made  a  good  showing. 
There  was  little,  or  no  training  done,  for  we  had  no  gymnasium,  and  this,  in  my 
opinion,  was  the  main  reason  for  the  occurrence  of  numerous  accidents.  I  remem- 
ber my  left  shoulder  coming  in  contact  with  a  tree-trunk  during  one  of  the  scrub- 
games  on  the  Campus,  with  the  result  that  my  clavicle  was  broken.  I  was  assisted 
across  the  railroad  track  on  Fourth  Avenue  to  the  Women's  Hospital,  then  lo- 
cated on  the  east  side  of  Fourth  Avenue  on  49th  Street,  and  there  my  arm  was 
bandaged  to  my  body  in  what,  in  later  years,  I  learned  was  called  a  Sayre  dress- 
ing, which  arrangement  allowed  my  coat-sleeve  to  dangle  empty  by  my  side.  I  also 
remember  coming  home  with  a  smile  on  my  face,  proud  of  the  fact  that  I  was  a  foot- 
ball hero,  injured  in  a  worthy  cause,  but  oblivious  of  the  impression  made  upon 
others  by  my  empty  coat-sleeve.  My  dear  mother  caught  one  glimpse  of  me  and 
fell  into  a  faint,  thinking  I  had  lost  my  arm,  which  illusion  was,  however,  soon  hap- 
pily dispelled. 

My  chronicle  of  reminiscences  would  not  be  complete  without  mentioning  that 
old  Stephen  Weeks,  who  had  been  moved  up  with  the  College  from  Park  Place, 
was  still  the  janitor,  and,  as  he  loved  to  be  called,  the  assistant  Librarian.  Fran- 
cois and  Mike  were  the  sub- janitors  who  did  the  real  work.  Weeks'  chief  labors 
consisted  in  tolling  the  chapel  bell  and  blowing  the  whistle  at  the  end  of  recess. 

I  could  easily  prolong  my  tale,  but  time  and  space  forbid.  Let  me  fitly  con- 
clude my  article  by  giving  to  the  light  of  day  the  words  of  the  parting  song  of 
'76,  written  to  the  air  of  "Lauriger  Horatius"  by  John  E.  H.  Hyde,  later  on  a 
prominent  patent  lawyer  of  New  York,  who  died  several  years  ago.  The  only  time 
this  fine  poem  was  ever  printed  was  when  it  was  placed  on  our  Class-Day  pro- 
gramme. 


'Hail  to  the  departed  years, 
Which  too  soon  have  left  us! 
Of  the  fairest  days  of  life 
Has  their  death  bereft  us. 
Youth,  the  spring  of  life,  is  o'er. 
But  the  seed  is  planted, 
May  our  autuinn,  with  its  fruits, 
Prove  a  harvest  granted ! 


May  our  Manhood's  coming  years, 
Still  in  friendship  find  us! 


Though  our  class-ties  loose  to-day. 
Yet  our  meni'ries  bind  us. 


Here  we've  had  our  brightest  thoughts. 
Dreams,  which  we  have  cherished. 
Thoughts,  whose  brightness  could  not  last. 
Dreams,  which  long  since  perished. 


Of  the  sparliling  glass  of  life. 
Foaming  youth  is  sweetest, 
And  of  all  our  fleeting  years, 
Those  of  youth  are  fleetest. 
Seize  the  glass  and  drain  it  dry, 
E'en  though  one  of  sorrow. 
For  the  past  we  breathe  a  sigh. 
While  we  toast  to-morrow. 


Though  our  early  hopes  have  failed, 


Should  we  then  regret  them? 
Dreaming  has  no  part  in  life. 
Let  us  then  forget  them! 


May  our  lives,  by  noble  deeds. 
Writ  on  history's  pages. 


'Grave  the  year  of  seventy-six, 
Deeper  yet  on  ages! 


[213] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


REOPENING  OF  COLUMBIA  COLLEGE  AFTER  THE 

REVOLUTION 

The  year  1786  is  notable  for  a  most  important  occurrence — the  reopening 
and  rechristening  of  "the  College."  There  had  been  only  one  institution  of  higher 
education  in  New  York  up  to  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  and  while  it  was  known 
officially  as  King's  College,  it  was  affectionately  known  to  the  people  simply  as 
"the  College."  After  a  lapse  of  nearly  ten  years  this  venerable  institution  of  learn- 
ing was  again  to  open  its  doors  and  resume  its  interrupted  scholastic  career  under 
a  new  name — Columbia — and  the  event  was  properly  regarded  as  a  most  auspicious 
one  in  the  annals  of  New  York.  An  impressive  and  distinguished  audience  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  assembled  in  the  sacred  precincts  of  St.  Paul's  Chapel  to 
greet  the  new  faculty  and  the  numerous  students,  among  whom  were  several  des- 
tined to  play  important  parts  in  the  future  history  of  the  new  Republic.  But  let 
us  continue  the  narrative  in  the  exact  language  of  an  actual  eye  witness  whose  ac- 
count was  published  the  next  day,  and  is,  therefore,  of  the  utmost  historical  value. 

After  a  long  night  of  darkness  and  confusion,  America,  like  another  Phoenix,  rising  out  of  the  flames, 
begins  to  emerge  from  the  anarchy  attending  a  tedious  war.  The  seats  of  learning  are  again  renewed,  genius 
seeks  her  favorite  retreats,  science  and  industry  prompt  to  improvement,  and  our  sons  and  daughters,  from  the 
schools  come  accomplished  into  society,  useful  to  themselves  and  beneficial  to  their  fellow  citizens. 

These  reflections  were  suggested,  and  considerably  heightened,  by  seeing  the  first  commencement  of  Co- 
lumbia College,  which  was  held  in  St.  Paul's  Church  yesterday.  The  most  respectable  and  numerous  assem- 
blage of  ladies  and  gentlemen  that  we  recollect  for  a  long  time  were  present  on  this  occasion.  About  12 
o'clock,  a  grand  procession  set  out  from  the  College,  and  went  to  St.  Paul's  Church,  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pro- 
vost opened  the  business  of  the  day  by  a  prayer  suited  to  the  occasion. 

The  Hon.  the  Congress  and  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature  suspended  the  public  business,  to  support  the 
interests  of  Education  by  their  countenance  and  graced  the  ceremony  by  their  august  presence.  The  procession 
moved  from  the  College  Hall  about  half  an  hour  after  eleven  in  the  forenoon  in  the  following  order: 

The  Scholars  of  the  College  Grammar  School,  according  to  their  Classes. 
The  Students  of  the  College,  according  to  their  Classes. 
The  Professors  of  the  University. 
His  Excellency  the  Governor. 

The  Hon.  the  Assembly. 
The  Regents  of  the  University. 

»•»♦»»••••*••• 

Mr.  De  Witt  Clinton  then  spoke  a  salutatory  oration  in  Latin — De  utilitate  et  necessitate  studiorum  Artium 
liberalium. 

Mr.  Philip  H.  Livingston,  on  the  Usefulness  and  Necessity  of  the  Knowledge  of  the  Laws  of  our 
Country. 

Mr.  Abraham  Hun,  on  the  question,  Whether  a  Nation  bent  upon  Conquest,  is  acting  on  the  principle  of 
Natural  Justice  and  Prudence. 

Mr.  John  Basset,  on  the  Descent,  Depredations  annd  Independency  of  the  Algerines. 
Mr.  Peter  Steddiford,  on  National  Prejudices. 
Mr.  Samuel  Smity,  on  Patriotism. 

Mr.  Clinton  finished  his  Latin  oration  with  a  polite  and  well-adapted  salutation  in  the  same  language, 
to  the  members  of  Congress,  the  Legislature,  the  Regents  and  Professors,  and  to  the  Public  at  Large. 

When  the  above  gentlemen,  together  with  Mr.  Francis  Sylvester,  who  spoke  the  valedictory  oration,  with 
a  dissertation  on  the  Passions,  concluded,  the  graduates  received  the  degree  of  Batchelor  of  Arts  from  the  hands 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gross,  Professor  of  Geography,  who  was  appointed  to  deliver  them. 


[214] 


1 

I 

I 

i 


of  tljp  l^ttBtnt  Warlh  latliiug.  1 853 


THIS  SHOWS  THE  END  OF  CHATHAM  STREET,  WHERE  NOW  STANDS 
THE  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  BROOKLYN  BRIDGE  AND  THE  WORLD 
BUILDING.  BACK  OF  THE  WAGON  IN  CENTRE  IS  BOY  CARRYING  A 
SIGN  "BEWARE  OF  MOCK  AUCTIONS  '  THIS  WAS  ONE  WAY  THE 
AUTHORITIES  ADOPTED  TO  PROTECT  THE  PUBLIC  FROM  SWINDLERS 
OF  THIS  SORT  WHO  INFESTED  THAT  PART  OF  THE  TOWN. 

FROM   THE  COLLECTION   OF  MR   JOHN   N.  GOLDINQ 


aanATa  won  3H3hw  .Taanra  mahtaho      ana  3ht  awoHa  eiht 

ajaOW  3HT  QUA  39aifla  HYJXOOna  3HT  OT  30MAflTM3  3HT 
A  OMIYHflAD  YOa  81  3flTH3D  Ml  M03AW  3HT  30  >IDAa  .SMiajlua 
3HT  YAW  3M0  BAW  2IHT       ■  2MOIT3UA  XDOM  30  3flAW3a  '  M3I2 

efl3jamwa  mo»i  ouaui  3ht  tostohi  or  qstsoqa  asiTiHOHTUA 

.MWOT  3HT  30  TflAS  TAHT  031833111  OHW  THOa  aiHT  30 

.OMIOJOO  -M   HHOL  .flU  ^0   H0IT33JJ03  3NT  MOfil 


Park  law.  PrpBPttt  S>iU  of  Entrmtrf  to  llfp  Irooklgn  Sriligr  anh  Worlh  lutltiing:  1353 


NOTHING  SHOWS  THE  GREAT  CHANGES  IN  NEW  YORK  BETTER  THAN 
THE  SUBSTITUTION  OF  THE  GREAT  EAST  RIVER  BRIDGE  ENTRANCE 
AND  THE  WORLD  BUILDING  FOR  THESE  WOODEN  SHACKS  THAT 
STOOD  OPPOSITE  CITY  HALL  PARK  IN  THE  50$ 


Julia  Wakd  Howe  in  Her  Girlhood 


JULIA  WARD  HOWE  IN  HER  GIRLHOOD 

It  is  only  six  years  since  Julia  Ward  Howe  died,  but  already  the  story  of  her 
girDiood  in  New  York  City  seems  as  far  off  and  as  different  from  the  life  of  to- 
day as  if  she  had  been  born  centuries  ago,  instead  of  in  1819.  Her  father,  Samuel 
Ward,  was  prominent  in  the  financial  hf e  of  the  city.  He  was  a  member  of  Prime, 
Ward  &  King,  an  important  banking  company,  and  the  founder  and  first  Presi- 
dent of  the  Bank  of  Commerce.  He  was  also  one  of  the  founders  of  the  New 
York  University,  the  Stuyvesant  Institute,  and  other  important  public  institu- 
tions. He  had  a  large  house  at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Bond  Street,  then  far 
out  of  town,  from  which  it  was  separated  by  woods  and  fields. 

When  Miss  Julia  and  her  two  sisters  grew  up,  so  lovely  and  charming  were 
they  that  they  were  known  as  "The  Three  Graces  of  Bond  Street."  In  the  biog- 
raphy of  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe  by  her  daughters  the  following  quotation  from 
a  "private  journal"  of  a  visitor  to  the  family  is  given: 

Walked  down  Broadway  with  all  the  fashion  and  met  the  pretty  blue-stocking.  Miss  Julia  Ward,  and 
her  admirer,  Dr.  Howe,  just  home  from  Europe.  She  had  on  a  blue  satin  cloak  and  a  white  muslin  dress.  1 
looked  to  see  if  she  had  on  blue  stockings,  but  I  think  not.  I  suspect  that  her  stockings  were  pink,  and  she 
wore  low  slippers,  as  Grandmamma  does.  They  say  she  dreams  in  Italian  and  quotes  French  verses.  She  sang 
very  prettily  at  a  party  last  evening  and  accompanied  herself  on  the  piano.   I  noticed  how  white  her  hands  were. 

THE  OLD  SHIP-BUILDERS  OF  NEW  YORK 

On  a  bright  morning  eighty  years  or  more  ago.  Christian  Bergh,  father  of 
Henry  Bergh,  was  sitting  in  his  office  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Scammel  and 
Water  Streets,  not  far  from  what  is  now  the  Grand  Street  Ferry,  watching  some 
workmen  in  his  ship-yard.  He  was  in  a  region  of  ship-yards.  Below  him,  at  the 
foot  of  Montgomery  Street,  was  the  shipyard  of  Thorn  and  Williams — Stephen 
Thorn  and  "honest  old  Jabez  Williams,"  as  they  used  to  call  him — and  lower  still, 
near  the  foot  of  Chnton  Street,  the  ship-yard  of  Carpenter  and  Bishop.  Picket 
and  Thoms's  yard  (afterward  at  the  foot  of  Houston  Street)  adjoined  it,  and, 
farther  south,  James  Morgan  and  Son  had  built  a  bark  at  the  foot  of  Rutgers 
Street,  and  Joseph  Martin  the  brig  Mary  Jane  at  the  foot  of  Jefferson  Street,  and 
the  ship  General  Page  at  the  foot  of  Pike  Street.  Above  Mr.  Bergh  was  a  series 
of  yards  extending  along  the  East  River  as  high  up  as  Thirteenth  Street ;  Sneden 
and  Lawrence's  yard,  near  the  foot  of  Corlears  Street;  Samuel  Harnard's  yard, 
near  the  foot  of  Grand  Street;  Brown  and  Bell's  yard,  from  Stanton  to  Houston 
Street,  which  was  formerly  occupied  by  Henry  Eckford,  and  partly  by  Adam  and 
Noah  Brown;  Smith  and  Dimon's  yard,  from  Fourth  to  Fifth  Street;  Webb  and 
Allen's  yard  (afterward  William  H.  Webb's),  from  Fifth  to  Seventh  Street; 
Bishop  and  Simonson's  yard  (afterward  Westervelt  and  Mackay's),  from  Seventh 
to  Eighth  Street;  James  R.  and  George  Steers's  yard,  William  H.  Brown's 
yard,  and  Thomas  Collyer's  yard,  higher  still.  Many  other  builders  or  repairers 
of  ships  occupied  the  same  interesting  shore  of  the  East  River  at  about  the  same 
time  or  later ;  Mr.  George  Thorburn,  a  well-known  spar-maker,  who  used  a  part  of 


[217] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


the  old  yai  d  of  Sneden  and  Lawrence,  counted  not  less  tlian  thirty-three  of  them, 
whose  yards  resounded  with  the  axes  and  hanuners  of  busy  American  ship-car- 
penters, calkers,  blacksmiths,  and  joiners. 

At  the  inunense  fireplace  (it  was  so  large  that  a  man  could  easily  sit  in  the 
chinmey)  in  the  Bergh  house  Henry  Eckford  was  a  frequent  visitor.  Indeed, 
Bergh's  principal  amusement  was  in  going  to  see  Eckford,  and  Eckford's  principal 
anmsement  in  going  to  see  Bergh.  Henry  Eckford  was  a  Scotclmian,  who  came  to 
this  country  hi  1790,  when  twenty-one  years  old,  and,  like  his  friend  Christian 
Bergh,  rose  into  prominence  during  the  War  of  1812,  having  obtained  contracts 
for  building  government  vessels  on  the  lakes. 

Christian  Bergh  was  born  April  30,  17G3,  and  baptized  May  12,  in  Wetten- 
burgh  Church,  in  Khinebeck  Precinct — he  died  June  24,  1843.  Aged  80.  The 
existing  records  of  the  Bergh  family  in  tliis  country  go  back  to  the  year  1700,  and 
there  were  still  earlier  records,  destroyed  during  the  Revolutionary  War;  Mr. 
Henry  Bergh,  the  founder  of  the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Ani- 
mals, was  a  son  of  Christian  Bergh  and  is  well  remembered  by  the  present  genera- 
tion. 

The  Bergh  homestead  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Scammel  and  Water  Streets 
was  in  an  excellent  neighborhood,  old  Colonel  Uutgers,  the  Crosbys,  and  Henry 
Eckford  living  near  by.  The  property  extended  north  to  Grand  Street,  and 
among  the  trees  in  its  orchard  was  an  ox-heart  cherry-tree  the  like  of  which  the 
Bergh  children  never  saw  elsewhere.  Henry,  the  son,  built  ten  five-story  tene- 
ment-houses on  the  site  of  the  homestead,  the  first  in  New  York  city  to  give  each 
family  a  floor  to  itself.  Fire-escapes  and  other  philanthropic  conveniences  were 
not  wanting. 

It  was  Jolm  Thomas  and  Henry  Steers  who  built,  at  the  foot  of  Tenth  Street, 
on  the  East  River,  the  first  ship-railway  ever  seen  in  the  United  States;  it  con- 
sisted of  rails  laid  on  an  inclined  plane,  upon  which  a  cradle  w^as  run  for  the  pur- 
pose of  drawing  vessels  up  out  of  the  water  in  order  to  repair  them;  and  in  con- 
sideration of  their  enterprise  the  Legislature  granted  to  the  railway  company  a 
charter  for  a  bank,  to  last  "as  long  as  grass  grows  and  water  runs."  Thus  was 
founded  the  Dry-Dock  Bank,  now  the  Eleventh  Ward  Bank.  The  only  other  in- 
stitution that  ever  received  such  a  charter  was  the  JNIanhattan  Company. 

James  R.  and  George  Steers  built  for  John  C.  Stevens  and  others  the  famous 
yacht  America,  which  captured  in  1851  the  Queen's  Cup  at  Cowes  and  which  the 
English  yachtsmen  have  ever  since  vainly  attempted  to  recover. 

William  H.  Webb's  distinction  as  an  American  ship-builder  consists  partly 
in  having  launched  a  larger  aggregate  tonnage  than  any  other  member  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  partly  in  his  successful  construction  of  powerful  war  vessels.  At  the 
age  of  fifteen  years,  and  contrary  to  the  wishes  and  plans  of  his  father,  Isaac 
Webb,  who  desired  for  him  an  easier  berth  on  the  voyage  of  life,  he  entered  his 
father's  ship-j^ard,  and  swung  the  axe,  shoved  the  plane  and  performed  all  the 
other  functions  of  an  apprentice. 

The  list  of  famous  ships  turned  out  by  the  old  Eleventh  Ward  is  a  long  one 


[218] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.    H    C  BROWN 


^rtrr  (Snrlrt  ?iimtsr,  ^Bnla^uIay  anh  19tli  Btrttt 


THE  OLD  PLIER  GOELET  HOMESTEAD.  THAT  STOOD  TILL  QUITE 
lUCFNTLY  ON  THE  COHNLH  OF  DDOADWAY  AND  t9iM  STREET. 
NORTHEAST 

AN  UNUSUAL  AND  STRIKING  FEATURE  THAT  NEVER  FAILED  TO 
ATTRACT  THE  ATTENTION  OF  THE  PASSERDY  WAS  THE  TURKEYS, 
THE  CHICKENS.  THE  COW.  AND  LAST  BUT  NOT  LEAST  THE  BEAUTI- 
FUL WHITE  AND  BLUE  PEACOCKS  AND  CHINESE  GOLDEN  PHEAS- 
ANTS. ALL  OF  WHICH  MAINTAINED  THEIR  COMPOSURE  THROUGH 
ALL  THE  BUSTLE  AND  DIN  OF  BROADWAY  LIFE  AS  LATE  AS  1903 
THIS  CORNER  WAS  ORIGINALLY  OUT  IN  THE  SU  B  U  R  BS- BU I LT  IN 
1  833-AND  RETAINED  TILL  ITS  DEMOLITION  THE  RUSTIC  AIR  IN 
WHICH  IT  WAS  BORN  AND  TO  WHICH  IT  HAD  ALWAYS  BEEN 
ACCUSTOMED 

FHOM    TMr    lOlir(TtON    Of    HH    ROOtflT  OOtLET 


The  Old  Ship-builders  of  Neav  York 


and  includes  the  Rainbow,  Dauntless,  America,  Superior,  Dreadnaught,  Fulton  the 
First  (an  iron  frigate),  and  the  forerunner  of  armor-clad  ships. 

The  fame  of  these  wonderful  flyers  still  lingers  in  the  memory  of  the  older 
generation.  A  hundred  days  to  San  Francisco  by  way  of  the  Horn  was  a  regular 
occurrence,  while  88,  92  and  95  days  from  New  York  to  Calcutta  were  expected. 
The  run  to  Liverpool  was  made  as  low  as  eleven  and  a  half  days,  while  fourteen 
was  a  good  average.  Nothing  like  the  American  Clipper  was  ever  equalled  in  the 
ship -building  line,  and  not  a  few  New  Yorkers,  in  view  of  the  present  attractive 
profits,  think  the  old  days  will  return. 

The  skippers  of  these  old-time  fliers  were  recruited  from  the  flower  of  the 
country's  youth  and  manhood.  Not  a  few  were  college  men;  the  majority  gradu- 
ates of  home-town  academies  corresponding  to  our  present-day  high  schools.  They 
were  sons  of  builders,  masters,  owners,  merchants  and  professional  men.  They  be- 
gan their  careers  not  in  forecastles  but  at  the  counting-room  desks  and  in  the  ware- 
houses of  the  firms  or  individuals  for  whom  they  were  destined  to  command  vessels. 

Before  they  ever  put  foot  on  deck  to  start  their  lives  at  sea  they  possessed  a 
grounding  in  the  arts  and  craft  of  commerce  and  at  least  a  working  familiarity 
with  another  language — usually  French;  often  both  French  and  Spanish.  They 
went  to  sea  to  become  commanders  and  ultimately  owners  and  merchants.  When 
they  attained  the  quarter-deck  of  their  first  command,  a  good  many  before  they 
were  twenty-one  years  old  and  most  of  them  before  they  were  twenty-five,  they 
either  bought  a  share  of  the  vessel  or  a  share  was  given  to  them.  It  was  to  their 
own  advantage  that  their  ships  should  do  well  by  their  owners. 

A  CURIOUS  OMISSION 

The  Minutes  of  the  New  York  Common  Council  from  1784  until  1831  not  yet 

Published:  Some  Interesting  Extracts 

A  matter  that  has  deeply  perplexed  librarians,  archivists,  men  of  letters,  and 
the  public,  throughout  the  United  States,  is  the  continued  failure  of  the  city  of 
New  York  to  print  the  minutes  of  its  own  Common  Council  from  the  years  1784 
to  1831.  This  period  covers  what  is  easily  the  most  interesting  days  of  our  infantile 
existence.  They  set  forth  as  no  other  medium  can,  conditions  as  they  existed  at 
the  time  the  British  evacuated  New  York,  and  the  city  took  up  the  burden  of  sepa- 
rate existence.  As  we  read  those  absorbing  chapters  of  our  early  infancy,  there 
is  spread  before  our  eyes  the  picture  of  a  little  town  struggling  to  right  itself  after 
an  occupancy  by  a  foreign  foe  of  nearly  eight  years.  Disorder  and  crime  prevail 
throughout  the  city;  most  of  it  is  still  in  ruins  from  the  great  fire  of  '76,  and  years 
of  neglect  have  left  the  streets  in  a  deplorable  condition. 

The  corporation  is  hard  pressed  for  funds  to  meet  immediate  obligations,  and 
is  frequently  obliged  to  seek  private  assistance.  Public  lands  are  pressed  for  sale, 
in  order  to  raise  money,  and  in  a  dozen  ways  these  minutes  depict  as  nothing  else 
can,  the  trials  and  ordeals  through  which  the  young  metropolis  was  passing.  Even 


[221] 


Gi,iMPSES  OF  Old  New  York 


as  we  read,  we  see  the  little  village  rise  with  a  courage  which  cannot  be  denied,  to 
face  difficulties  that  seem  insurmountable.  The  burden  at  times  seems  almost  too 
great  to  bear,  but  gradually  we  see  order  emerge  out  of  chaos,  and  tranquillity  reign 
where  formerly  anarchy  held  sway. 

As  we  continue  a  perusal  of  these  minutes,  we  see  the  city  gradually  emerging 
from  its  apparent  hopeless  condition.  Large  numbers  of  its  former  residents,  ban- 
ished under  British  rule,  have  now  returned  and  their  appearance  is  noted  in  the 
minute  books. 

The  first  selection  we  make  is  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  held  September  20, 
1786,  regarding  the  banishment  of  hogs  from  the  streets  of  New  York.  The  mo- 
tion was  at  first  defeated,  then  accepted  and  becomes  a  law.  For  many  years  hogs 
played  an  important  part  in  keeping  the  streets  clean,  hence  the  opposition  to 
their  banishment. 

New  York     |         At  a  Common  Council  held  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  said  City  on  Wednesday,  Septr.  20,  1786. 

Present  Richard  Varick,  Esqr.,  Recorder 

Benjamin  Blagge 
Abm.  P.  Lott 

T  .     D  >Esqrs.  Aldn. 

John  Broome  '  ^ 

Nichs.  Bayard 

Abm.  Van  Gelder 
Thos.  Ten  Eyck 
Geo.  Janeway  ^.Assists. 
Corns.  C.  Roosevelt 
Henry  WiU 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  against  the  going  at  large  of  Hogs  reported  a  Law  for 
the  purpose  which  was  read  and  thereupon  Aldn.  Blagge  moved  that  the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed 
until  a  future  meeting.  Debates  arose  &  the  Question  being  put  on  the  said  Motion  it  passed  in  the  Negative 
in  manner  following. 

For  the  AflBrmative  For  the  Negative 

Aldn.  Blagge  Aldn.  Broome 

Aldn.  Lott  Aldn.  Bayard 

Aldn.  GUbert  Mr.  Ten  Eyck 

Mr.  Van  Gelder  Mr.  Roosevelt 

Mr.  Janeway  Mr.  Will 

The  Board  being  equally  divided  Mr.  Recorder  voted  in  the  Negative. 

The  Law  then  read  &  considered  by  Paragraphs  And  on  Mr.  Recorders  asking  whether  the  Law  should 
pass;  Debates  arose  &  the  Question  being  put  it  passed  in  the  aflSrmative  in  the  manner  following  vizL 
For  the  AflBrmative  For  the  Negative 

Aldn.  Broome  Aldn.  Blagge 

Aldn.  Bayard  Aldn.  Lott 

Ten  Eyck  Aldn.  Gilbert 

Mr.  Will  Mr.  Van  Gelder 

Mr.  Roosevelt  Mr.  Janeway 

The  Board  being  again  equally  divided  Mr.  Recorder  voted  in  the  AflSrmative.  Thereupon  the  Law  passed 
accordingly  which  with  the  Title  thereof  is  as  follows: 

"A  Law  to  prohibit  the  going  at  large  of  Hogs  within  this  City.  Whereas  the  going  at  large  of  Hogs 
Shoats  &  Pigs  in  the  Streets  and  Highways  of  this  City  is  attended  with  many  inconveniences  to  the  Citi- 
zens at  large  &  with  great  Injury  to  Individuals. 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  Common  Council 
convened  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  Authority  of  the  same  That  from  &  after  the  first  Day  of  January 
next  no  Person  or  Persons  shall  permit  his  her  or  their  Hogs  Shoats  or  Pigs  to  go  at  large  in  any  of  the 
Streets  or  Highways  of  this  City  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  such  Hogs  Shoats  or  Pigs  to  the  use  of  the 
Poor  of  the  said  City.    And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  Authority  of  the  same  That  from  &  after  the  first 


[  222  ] 


A  Curious  Omission 


Day  Constables  &  Marshalls  of  the  said  City  and  any  other  Person  is  hereby  authorized  to  take  up  &  Secure 
all  such  Hogs  Shoats  or  Pigs  as  they  or  any  of  them  shall  find  going  at  large  contrary  to  this  Law  &  to 
deliver  them  to  the  Keeper  of  the  Alms  House  of  the  said  City  who  is  hereby  authorized  &  required  to  receive 
them  for  the  use  of  the  poor  as  aforesaid  &  to  pay  such  Constable  Marshall  or  other  Person  for  their  trouble 
the  sum  of  four  Shillings  for  each  Hog  &  the  Sum  of  two  Shillings  for  each  Shoat  or  Pig." 

The  meeting  of  September  14,  1784,  records  an  event  of  great  historical  im- 
portance— the  freedom  of  the  city  offered  to  Lafayette. 

City  of  New  York,  SS.  James  Duane,  Esqr.,  Mayor,  the  Recorder,  Aldermen  &  assistants  of  the  City  of  New 
York  in  Common  Council  convened. 

To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come  Send  Greeting: 

Whereas  the  Right  honorable  The  Marquis  De  la  Fayette  Mareschal  De  Camp  of  the  Armies  of  his 
most  Christian  Majesty  and  Major  General  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States  of  America,  by  the  early  and 
adventurous  Part  which  he  took  in  the  late  Revolution  by  which  the  Liberties  and  Independence  of  the  United 
States  are  happily  established  and  the  essential  Services  he  hath  performed  in  different  situations  hath  endeared 
himself  to  all  to  whom  the  Rights  of  America  are  Dear  And  we  being  desirous  of  giving  him  a  Public  Testi- 
mony of  our  Esteem  and  of  our  high  Sense  of  his  distinguished  Merit  and  essential  Services. 

Be  it  therefore  known  to  all  whom  it  may  concern  that  the  said  Marquis  De  la  Fayette  Is  by  these  Pres- 
ents admitted  and  received  a  Freeman  and  Citizen  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  the  State  of  New  York  in 
America. 

In  Testimony  whereof  We  cause  the  public  Seal  of  the  said  City  to  be  here  unto  aflSxed. 
Witness  James  Duane,  Esqr.,  Mayor  of  the  said  City,  this  fourteenth  Day  of  September  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1784  &  of  the  Independence  of  the  State  the  ninth — 


To  which  the  Marquis  De  la  Fayette  makes  the  following  gracious  answer: 

Meeting  Sept.  16,  1784 

The  Members  having  waited  on  the  Right  Honble.  the  Marquis  De  la  Fayette  with  the  Address  of  this 
Corporation  Mr.  Mayor  laid  on  the  Table  the  Marquis'  answer  which  was  read  &  is  in  the  words  following 
vizt: 

"To  the  honorable  the  Mayor  Aldermen  &  Commonalty  of  the  City  of  New  York. 

"Gentlemen,  While  I  am  honored  with  so  flattering  Marks  of  your  Esteem  it  is  a  peculiar  Gratification  to 
me  to  receive  them  in  this  City  where  with  Delight  I  see  the  triumphant  Restoration  of  the  American  Flag. 

Amidst  Hardships  of  War,  which  so  heavily  fell  upon  you,  it  has  been  your  noble  Task  to  give  the 
World  an  Example  of  Disinterestedness  &  Fortitude.  To  unite  with  you  in  common  EflForts  and  common 
Wishes,  became  my  fortunate  Lot;  And  altho'  from  a  powerful  Cooperation,  then  in  readiness,  we  had  a  Right 
to  expect  the  Repossession  of  New  York,  yet  did  I  feel  much  happier,  in  the  far  better  Method  by  which  the 
End  of  your  Exile  was  made  a  signal  for  restored  Peace. 

In  the  precious  Testimonies  of  your  Partiality,  now  aiforded  me,  I  most  pleasingly  enjoy  the  new  Tie 
that  connects  me  with  this  City:  and  whilst  I  ardently  share  with  you  in  every  concern  for  its  Prosperity  I  beg 
leave  to  assure  you,  that  the  warmth  of  my  Zeal  can  only  be  equalled  by  the  Feelings  of  my  Respect  and 
Gratitude 


The  meeting  held  October  14,  1786,  is  a  picturesque  account  of  an  old-time 
ceremony  in  which  the  re-election  of  Mr.  Duane  as  Mayor  was  enacted. 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  by  &  with  the  advice  &  Consent  of  the  Council  of  Appointment  having  been 
pleased  to  reappoint  The  honble.  James  Duane,  Esqr.,  to  the  Office  of  Mayor,  &c,  &c,  of  this  City  for  the  ensuing 
Year:  Mr.  Mayor  attended  by  the  Recorder,  Aldermen,  Clerk  &  Constables  went  from  the  City  Hall  to  the  Resi- 
dence of  His  Excclcy.  the  Governor  &  in  his  presence  took  the  Oaths  by  the  Charter  of  this  City  prescribed  & 
directed  And  being  returned  to  the  Hall  after  ringing  of  three  Bells  &  proclamation  made  for  silence  the 
Mayors  Commission  was  published. 


The  city  appropriated  money  for  the  printing  of  the  Dutch  Records  which 
were  published  in  eight  volumes  in  1897,  and  for  the  English  Records  in  1905.  It 


"James  Duaite. 


De  la  Fayette. 


[  225  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  Neav  York 


seems  strange  therefore  that  our  own  American  Records,  the  most  vital  and  impor- 
tant in  our  whole  career,  should  be  thus  overlooked. 

Should  anything  happen  to  the  original  manuscript  of  these  Records,  New 
York,  the  greatest  city  in  the  world,  would  be  deprived  absolutely  of  the  story  of  its 
infancy,  and  the  loss  could  never  be  replaced. — Valentine's  Manual — New 
Series. 

Since  the  above  was  written  (in  May,  1916)  word  has  just  reached  us  that 
Mayor  Mitchel  has  secured  an  appropriation  of  $1.'5,000  for  the  beginning  of  this 
work.  Professor  Osgood  of  Columbia  University  has  kindly  consented  to  super- 
vise the  work,  which  will  be  under  the  editorial  care  of  Mr.  A.  E.  Peterson  of  the 
Evander  Childs  High  School.  Mr.  Robert  H.  Kelby  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society  is  on  the  Honorary  Committee  of  Publication,  thus  recognizing  in  a  sense 
the  efforts  made  by  the  Society  in  the  past  to  attain  this  splendid  result. 

Among  others  who  have  contributed  to  this  result,  the  work  of  Edward  Haga- 
man  Hall  should  be  remembered,  who  has  already  printed  several  years  of  the 
Minutes  as  part  of  his  Annual  Report  of  the  American  Scenic  Society.  The  ef- 
forts of  Dr.  C.  C.  Williams  of  the  Municipal  Branch  of  the  Public  library.  Libra- 
rian Baer  of  the  Aldermanic  Librar5%  Alderman  Henry  Curran,  and  the  article 
calling  attention  to  the  need  of  this  work  which  appeared  last  May  in  the  New 
Valentine's  JNIanual  are  all  entitled  to  remembrance  on  this  happy  occasion. 


[  226  ] 


ONE  OF  THE  MOST  INTERESTING  PRE  REVOLUTION ARY  BUILDINGS 
STILL  STANDING  IN  OUR  CITY  WASHINGTON  PASSEDTWO  NIGHTS 
IN  THIS  BUILDING.  ONCE  IN  1781  AND  AGAIN  IN  1783,  ROCHAM- 
BEAU  AND  OTHER  FAMOUS  GENERALS  WERE  ENTERTAINED  HERE. 
A  SHORT  DISTANCE  FROM  THE  HOUSE  IS  THE  FAMILY  VAULT.  IN 
WHICH  THE  RECORDS  OF  THE  CITY  WERE  HIDDEN  DURING  THE 
REVOLUTION  BY  AUGUSTUS  VAN  COURTLANDT.  THEN  CITY  CLERK. 
AND  THUS  SAVED  TO  THE  CITY.  VAN  COURTLANDT  PARK  IS 
FORMED  OF  PART  OF  THE  OLD  MANOR. 

FROM   THE   COLLCCTICN   CF    KR.  J.  H  JORDAN. 


CHAPTER  VI 


OLD-TIME  MARRIAGE  AND  DEATH  NOTICES 

Compiled  bt  A.  J.  WOHLHAGEN 
Assistant  Librarian  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society 

Scarcely  anything  in  our  social  life  of  by-gone  days  exceeds  in  quaintness  and 
charm  the  curious  marriage  notices  which  occasionally  appeared  in  our  little  newspa- 
pers which  were  issued  once  a  week.  The  ones  which  follow  have  been  selected  from 
the  New  York  Weekly  Museum,  a  fairly  complete  file  of  which  is  in  the  New  York 
Historical  Society. 

In  those  days  the  law  dealing  with  the  return  of  vital  statistics  was  not  gen- 
erally enforced,  consequently  some  of  these  notices  will  be  seen  here  for  the  first 
time.  They  now  possess  an  historic  value  of  importance,  as  they  recall  the  mar- 
riages of  many  old  families  whose  descendants  are  among  us  to-day.  Aside  from 
the  family  Bible,  this  is  probably  the  only  other  record  of  these  interesting  events. 
The  oddity  of  expression,  the  intimate  personal  description,  impart  a  charm  to  these 
notices  all  their  own,  and  bring  back  as  nothing  else  can,  the  atmosphere  of  the  little 
village  that  was  then  New  York. 

The  proprietor  of  the  Weekly  Museum  occasionally  became  involved  in  serious 
trouble  on  account  of  these  marriage  notices,  some  of  which  were  afterwards  de- 
nied. In  one  issue  he  announced  the  nuptials  of  "Mr.  Levy  Phillips  to  the  ami- 
able Miss  Hetty  Hays,  daughter  of  Mr.  Michael  Hays,  of  this  city,"  and  on  tlie 
week  following  printed  this  contradiction : 

The  marriage  of  Miss  Hetty  Hays  handed  in  by  Aaron  Henry  is  false   The  Printer  begs  the  par- 

ties will  pardon  the  insertion  as  it  was  imposed  on  him  by  an  infamous  LIAR. 


[  229  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


In  this  instance  the  printer  merely  leaped  from  the  frying  pan  into  the  fire,  as 
clearly  indicated  by  the  following,  which  appeared  in  the  next  issue. 

The  following  paragraph  was  handed  in  Thursday  the  12th  inst. 

"Married  on  Wednesday  last,  Mr.  Levy  Phillips  to  the  amiable  Miss  Hetty  Hays,  daughter  of  Mr.  M. 
Hays,  of  this  city."    By  inserting  this  you  will  oblige  your  humble  servant, 

Aaron  Henry. 

New  York  Aug  12  1793 
No.  21  Great  Dock  Street. 

"In  justice  to  Mr.  Aaron  Henry,  the  Printer  declares  he  was  not  the  person  who  handed  in  the  above 
paragraph  but  that  it  was  imposed  on  him  by  a  person  who  called  himself  Aaron  Henry  and  who  has  added  to 
the  infamy  of  lyinff  that  of  counterfeiting.  For  which,  unless  satisfactory  concessions  are  made  to  Mr.  Henry 
and  the  Printer,  the  law  against  counterfeiting  will  be  put  vigorously  in  force  against  him." 

Evidently  this  was  not  the  only  time  that  an  exciting  half  hour  resulted  from 
an  error  of  this  kind,  as  we  find  in  the  issue  of  April  .5th,  of  the  same  year,  he  was 
compelled  to  apologize  to  one  Capt.  Moses  Toulon  for  announcing  his  marriage 
to  Anna  Mott.  The  doughty  captain  was  evidentl)'  real  rude,  and,  as  befitted  a 
warrior,  sought  and  received  satisfaction,  as  we  find  the  printer,  as  a  result,  reach- 
ing this  mournful  conclusion. 

"The  diflSculty  of  avoiding  such  impositions  compels  the  Printer  to  refuse  the  insertion  of  marriage  notices 
in  future." 

This  policy,  however,  did  not  last  long.  Evidently  the  value  of  such  items  in 
a  news  sense  outweighed  the  occasional  shindies  which  inevitably  followed  these  mis- 
takes, as  we  find  their  publication  resumed  and  permanently  continued  thereafter. 

Another  difficulty  he  encountered  may  be  inferred  from  the  following: 

Mr.  William  Low  aged  25  married  Thursday  Evening  to  Mrs.  Rachel  Bryan  aged  69. 

In  the  next  week  a  Mr.  William  Low  of  Hanover  Square  objects  to  the  notice 
as  not  being  sufficiently  distinctive  and  compels  the  printer  to  insert  a  notice  that 

"The  Mr.  Wm.  Low  married  to  Mrs.  Bryan  is  not  the  Mr.  Low  of  Hanover  Square." 

The  enterprising  proprietor  of  the  Museum  apparently  led  the  strenuous  life 
at  times.  If  he  could  come  back  again  and  open  his  little  print  shop  just  for  a  day 
how  happy  we  would  all  be  to  see  him!    Peace  to  his  ashes  1 

We  begin  the  list  with  a  few  selections  showing  the  curious  style  of  expression : 

On  Monday  evening,  June  7th,  1792,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maet  Axx  Jelf,  an  amiable  and  accomplished  young 
Beach,  Johk  Buchanan,  Esq.,  to  the  amiable,  ador-  lady  of  that  place, 
able,  incomparable,  inflexible,  invincible  and  non-paral- 
lel of  her  sex,  Nancy  Lucy  Tuhnih,  both  of  this  city.  On  March  20th,  1786,  married  in  New-Jersey,  Ma. 

Jaaies  Walker,  merchant,  to  the  amiable  Miss  Ann 

On  June  30th,  Mr.  Peter  Dustan  to  the  amiable  Miss  Vandebbeck,  daughter  of  Isaac  Vanderbeck,  Junr., 

Sally  Gidnt.  ^.^q 

On  Monday  the  31st  of  July,  1786,  was  married  in  If  worldly  happiness  is  e'er  complete, 

Washington  County,  Maryland,  Major  General  Ho-  I*  is  when  two  fond  lovers  meet. 

RATIO  Gates,  to  Miss  Mary  Vallance;  a  lady  most  de-  „    ,„  ^      ,  .  ,   x 

,  ,    J  On  Wednesday  evening  (24.th  of  May,  1786)  was  mar- 

servedly  distinguished  for  her  good  sense,  liberal  edu-  .  ,  „  „         °         .   .         '      ,  „^ 

-       .  , ,    ,.       ...         ...      ,     ,  .  ried  OAMUEL  Osgood,  Commissioner  of  the  Treasury 

cation,  and  aimable  disposition,  with  a  handsome  for-  _  ,,. 

^^^^  Board,  to  Mrs.  Franklin,  widow  of  Walter  Franldm, 

late  an  opulent  merchant  of  this  city.    The  lady  is 

Married  on  Sunday  last,  June  14,  1786,  at  Elizabeth     possessed  of  every  amiable  accomplishment,  added  to 

Town,  Mr.  George  Joy,  merchant  of  this  city,  to  Miss     a  very  large  fortune. 

[  230  ] 


THE  THREE  SHOPS  ARE  IN  THE  MIDDLE  ROW  AND  ARE  INDICATED 
BY  AN  ARROW. 

THIS  IS  A  PARTICULARLY  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  BROADWAY  FROM 
THE  ASTOR  HOUSE  TO  WORTH  STREET  AT  THIS  TIME,  AND  IN- 
CLUDES ALL  THE  PROMINENT  FIRMS  OF  THAT  PERIOD.  MR. 
STEWARTS  CAREER.  AND  THAT  OF  HIS  SUCCESSOR,  MR.  JOHN 
WANAMAKER,  ARE  ELSEWHERE  REFERRED  TO  IN  THIS  BOOK.  ONE 
OF  ROGERS  a  BRO  S  (1849)  SHOPS  IS  IN  THIS  SECTION 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR.  JOHN  WANAMAKER 


Old-time  Marriage  and  Death  Notices 


The  file  of  the  New  York  Weekly  Museum  from  which  the  following  mar- 
riage and  death  notices  were  compiled,  is  collated  as  follows,  viz.:  1789,  January 
31st  to  April  11th  and  all  after  November  7th  are  missing;  1790,  February  28th 
missing;  1794,  December  20th  missing;  1795,  September  26th  to  November  7th 
and  December  5th  and  12th  missing;  1796,  January  2nd,  April  9th  and  May  28th 
missing. 

Genealogists  and  those  interested  in  genealogy  will  find  in  the  following  hst 
a  valuable  addition  to  the  vital  records  of  New  York  covering  a  period  when  these 
statistics  are  otherwise  most  difficult  to  obtain. 

1789 — Saturday,  January  17.  George  Fleming,  of  the  Manor  of  Fleming,  in  Sugarloafburgh,  Orange  County, 
and  Phoebe  Yelveetok,  daughter  of  Abijah,  late  of  Goshen,  married  December  29,  1788. 

1789 — Saturday,  July  11.  Isaac  Moore  and  Chbistiakia  Slater,  both  of  New  York  City,  married  Thursday 
last. 

1789 — Saturday,  July  11.  James  Bahhox,  of  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  and  Miss  Malcom,  daughter  of  General 
Malcom,  married  on  "Saturday  evening." 

1789 — Saturday,  July  18.  Mrs.  Sophia  Bicker,  wife  of  Colonel  Henry  Bicker,  of  this  city,  aged  sixty-three 
years,  died  Wednesday  morning  last. 

1789 — Saturday,  August  15.  Axdhew  Graham,  of  Ulster  County,  and  Mrs.  Hannah  Budd,  of  this  city,  mar- 
ried Monday  last. 

1789 — Saturday,  August  29.    Robert  Gilbert  Livingston,  of  this  city,  in  an  advanced  age,  died  yesterday. 
1789 — Saturday,  September  5.      Mas.  Washington,  mother  of  our  President,  died  this  afternoon.    Letter  dated 

Petersburg,  Va.,  August  25,  1789. 
1789 — Saturday,  September  19.    Job  Sumner,  late  Major  Massachusetts  Line  Continental  Army,  in  the  33d 

year  of  his  age,  died  Wednesday. 
1789 — Saturday,  October  3.    John  Loudon,  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  of  the  First  Regiment,  on  duty,  died 

Monday  last. 

1789 — Saturday,  October  17.  John  Debois  and  Elizabeth  Duhtee,  both  of  this  city,  married  Thursday  last. 
1789 — Saturday,  October  24.    Joseph  Cullen,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Hester  Stevens,  daughter  of  Capt.  William 

Stevens,  of  this  city,  married  Sunday  last. 
1789 — Saturday,  October  24.    Hendrick  Wyckoff,  of  this  city,  died  at  his  father's  house  on  Long  Island, 

Wednesday  last. 

1789 — Saturday,  November  7.  Anthony  Franklin,  son  of  John  Franklin,  of  this  city,  and  Lydia  Lawrence, 
of  Flushing,  married  last  week. 

1789 —  Saturday,  November  7.  William  Duhell,  printer  and  bookseller,  and  Maria  Schenck,  daughter  of  Abra- 
ham, both  of  this  city,  married  Wednesday  last. 

1790 —  Saturday,  January  23.  Samuel  Debemer,  attorney  at  law,  and  Hester  Anthony,  daughter  of  Nicholas, 
married  Sunday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  February  13.  Frederick  Tubk  and  Jane  Anthony,  daughter  of  Nicholas,  both  of  this  city, 
married  Thursday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  February  20.   John  B.  Van  Wyck  and  Gitty  Brinckerhoff,  daughter  of  Col.  Abraham,  both 

of  Fishkill,  married  at  Fishkill,  Thursday  last. 
1790 — Saturday,  March  6.    Capt.  George  Codwise  and  Maria  Byvanck,  both  of  this  city,  married  last  Saturday. 
1790 — Saturday,  March  6.    Francis  Wainwright,  of  this  city,  druggist,  and  Maria  Staples,  daughter  of  John 

(Sugar-baker),  married  Wednesday  last. 
1790 — Saturday,  March  27.    Robert  McDamitt  and  Susan  Ahden,  daughter  of  John,  both  of  this  city,  married 

Saturday,  the  20th  inst. 

1790— Saturday,  April  3.  Miss  Abigail  Otis,  daughter  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
died  on  the  18th  at  Boston,  age  16  years. 

1790 — Saturday,  April  3.  Thomas  White  and  Miss  Marston,  daughter  of  John,  of  this  city,  married  Satur- 
day evening. 

1790 — Saturday,  April  3.  Hon.  John  Page,  of  Virginia,  and  Miss  Lowtheh,  daughter  of  William,  of  this  city, 
married  Saturday  evening. 

1790— Saturday,  April  24.  Isaac  DePeyster  Teller  and  Alice  Schenk,  daughter  of  Henry,  both  of  Fislikill, 
married  Monday  the  12th. 

1790— Saturday,  April  24.  Anthony  Rutgers,  of  the  Island  of  Curracoa,  and  Cornelia  Gaine,  daughter  of 
Hugh  Gaine,  printer  of  this  city,  married  Saturday  last. 


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Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


1790 — Saturday,  April  24.  Db.  Benjamin  Franklin,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  8fith  year  of  his  age, 
died  Saturday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  April  24.    Wright  Nichoi.8  and  Polly  Cixments,  daughter  of  Daniel,  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  mar- 
ried Wednesday  last  at  Flushing. 
1790 — Saturday,  May  1.    IIuon  M'Kenzie.    Last  evening  was  found  in  the  Old  Slip  the  body  of,  who  has  for 

several  weeks  been  missing. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.  Hon.  Joshua  Seney,  Representative  In  Congress  from  the  State  of  Maryland,  and 
Fanny  Nicholson,  daughter  of  Commodore  Nicholson,  of  this  city,  married  Saturday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.  Tobias  Leah,  Secretary  to  the  President  of  tlie  United  States,  and  Polly  Ixjno,  mar- 
ried at  I'ortsniouth  on  the  22d  ult. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.    Cornelia  Kemsen,  eldest  daughter  of  Henry,  of  this  city,  died  Wednesday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.    Stephen  Crossfield,  Jr.,  a  yoimg  gentleman  of  great  worth,  died  Wednesday. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.  John  Foxcroft.  Agent  here  for  his  Britanic  Majesty's  pacltets  and  before  the  revolu- 
tion, joint  post-master  general  with  the  late  Benjamin  Franklin,  died  Tuesday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  8.   Grome  Bend,  died  yesterday. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  22.    Samuel  Sterett,  of  Baltimore,  and  Rebecca  Sears,  daughter  of  the  late  Col.  Isaac 

Sears,  of  this  city,  married  Thursday  last. 
1790 — Saturday,  May  22.    John  Antho.vy  and  Sally  Shaw,  both  of  this  city,  married  Thursday  the  13th  inst. 
1790 — Saturday,  May  22.    Deborah  Denton,  relect  of  Nehemiah  Denton,  in  the  78th  year  of  her  age,  died 

Saturday  last  at  Jamaica,  L.  I. 
1790 — Saturday,  May  29.    Henry  Lawrence  and  Habbiet  A'an  Wyck,  both  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  married  at 

Flushing,  L.  I.,  Wednesday  last. 
1790 — Saturday,  May  29.    Henry  Henson  and  Dolly  Tybeb,  married  Monday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  29.  Miss  Clow,  daughter  of  Andrew  Clow,  merchant,  of  Philadelphia,  died  Saturday  last 
at  Jamaica,  I.,.  I.,  buried  First  Presbyterian  Church  this  city. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  29.  Elizabeth  Bobkinbine,  wife  of  George  Borkinbine,  printer,  of  this  city,  died  Sun- 
day last;  aged  25  years. 

1790 — Saturday,  May  29.    Elizabeth  Ustick,  daughter  of  the  late  Henry  Ustick,  of  this  city,  died  Monday  last 
1790 — Saturday,  June  12.    Dr.  Wright  Post  and  Miss  Bailey,  daughter  of  Dr.  Richard  Bailey,  of  this  city, 
married  Thursday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  June  12.  Israel  Putnam,  Maj.  Gen.  of  the  Continental  Army,  died  Saturday,  May  29th,  at 
Brooklyn,  Conn.,  in  the  73rd  year  of  his  age. 

1790 — Saturday,  June  26.  Rev.  Mb.  Bloomer,  rector  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  died  Wednes- 
day last. 

1790 — Saturday,  July   31.    Hay  Ste\t:nson  and  Miss  Graham:,  both  of  this  city,  married  Thursday. 
1790 — Saturday,  July  81.    William  Livingston,  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  died  Sunday,  the  25th,  at  his  seat 
near  Elizabethtown,  N.  J. 

1790 — Saturday,  August  28.  Gerabd  DePeysteh,  son  of  William  DePeyster,  merchant  in  Queen  Street,  died 
Thursday,  aged  21. 

1790 — Saturday,  Sept.  11.  Thomas  Lowree  and  Polly  Dusinbuby,  both  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  married  Sunday  last 
at  Flushing,  L.  I. 

1790 — Saturday,  Sept.  11.  Capt.  John  Armour,  of  the  ship  Grace,  and  Maria  Hopson,  daughter  of  George 
Hopson,  of  this  city,  married  Tuesday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  September  25.  Mrs.  Mahy  Ooden,  wife  of  Doctor  Jacob  Ogden  and  daughter  of    De- 
Peyster, died  at  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  in  the  prime  of  life. 

1790 — Saturday,  September  25.  John  Keating,  merchant  of  this  city,  died  Tuesday  last  in  the  55th  year  of 
his  age.    Interment  Trinity  Church. 

1790 — Saturday,  October  2.  James  Bailey  and  Catheriije  Bhixckxrhoff,  daughter  of  Col.  Abraham  Brincker- 
hoff  of  Fishkill,  married  Monday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  October  28.  William  Jones,  son  of  Samuel  Jones,  attorney  at  law,  and  Keziah  Youngs,  mar- 
ried Thursday  the  14th  inst.  at  Oyster  Bay,  L.  I. 

1790 — Saturday,  October  23.  Stephen  Coles,  distiller,  and  Mrs.  Lawrence,  both  of  this  city,  married  last 
week. 

1790 — Saturday,  October  30.  Mrs.  Ann  Letts,  a  native  oT  New  York,  died  at  South  River,  N.  J.,  on  the  4th 
inst.    Aged  107  years. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  6.    Philip  Kissick,  died  at  Bloomingdale,  Thursday  last,  in  his  78th  year. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  6.  Thomas  Stheatfield  Clarkson  and  Eliza  Van  Hohne,  daughter  of  Augustus 
Van  Home,  married  Saturday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  20.  Mrs.  Butler,  wife  of  Hon.  Pierre  Butler,  South  Carolina,  Senator,  died  Satur- 
day last. 


[234  ] 


BUILT  IN  1  763  BY  A  DESCENDANT  OF  WILLIAM  BEEKMAN.  WHO 
CAME  FROM  HOLLAND  WITH  PETER  STUYVESANT  IN  1647.  IT  WAS 
THE  HEADQUARTERS  OF  GENERALS  HOWE  AND  CLINTON  DURING 
THE  REVOLUTION.  MAJOR  ANDRE  STAYED  HERE  THE  NIGHT  BEFORE 
HIS  FATAL  ADVENTURE,  AND  NATHAN  HALE  WAS  BROUGHT  HERE 
FOR  EXAMINATION  AFTER  HIS  CAPTURE  HALE  WAS  AFTERWARDS 
EXECUTED  ON  THE  BEEKMAN  FARM  DOWNTOWN.  NOT  FAR  FROM 
WHERE  HIS  STATUE  NOW  STANDS. 

FROM  THE  COLLECTION  OF  MR.  GERARD  BEEKMAN. 


Old-time  Marriage  and  Death  Notices 


1790 — Saturday,  November  20.  Daniel  Ceomeline  Verplanck  and  Anne  Walton,  daughter  of  William  Wal- 
ton, married  Wednesday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  27.  Andrew  Norwood  and  Elizabeth  Roe,  both  of  this  city,  married  Saturday 
last. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  27.  Prosper  Wetmore  and  Catherine  McEuen,  both  of  this  city,  married  last 
Saturday. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  27.  Hon.  John  Vining,  Congressman  from  Delaware,  and  Miss  Seton,  daughter 
of  William  Seton,  of  this  city,  married  Wednesday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  November  27.  John  Ball,  merchant,  and  Rachel  Sutton,  daughter  of  Caleb  Sutton,  mer- 
chant, of  this  city,  married   . 

1790 — Saturday,  December  4.    Joseph  Bogart  and  Jane  Finck,  married  on  the  25th  inst. 

1790 — Saturday,  December  4.   Joseph  Williams  and  Anne  Fisher,  both  of  this  city,  married  Sunday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  December  4.  Eliphalet  Wickes  and  Martha  Herriman,  both  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  married 
Sunday  last  at  Jamaica,  L.  I. 

1790 — Saturday,  December  4.    James  Huie  and  Sarah  Blaau,  married  Saturday  last. 

1790 — Saturday,  December  25.  Matthew  M.  Clarkson,  merchant,  and  Beunda  Smith,  both  of  this  city,  mar- 
ried Saturday  last. 

1790 —  Saturday,  December  25.  Leonard  Lispenard  and  Nancy  Bache,  daughter  of  Theophelict,  married  Satur- 
day last. 

1 791-  ^Saturday,  April  23.    Joseph  Beezly,  Innkeeper,  and  Catherine  Roe,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Roe,  both  of 

Flushing,  L.  I.,  married  Tuesday  last  at  Flushing. 
1791 — Saturday,  April  23.    John  Burger,  Jr.,  and  Sarah  Tout,  both  of  this  city,  married  Saturday  last. 
1791 — Saturday,  April  30.    Robert  Cbommeline,  died  on  Thursday  last  at  his  seat  near  Flushing,  L.  I.,  in 

the  75th  year  of  his  age. 
1791 — Saturday,  April  80.    Sampson  Fleming,  died  on  Sunday  at  his  house  on  Broadway. 

1791 — Saturday,  April  30.  John  Griffin,  merchant,  of  Horse  Neck,  Conn.,  and  Polly  Thomas,  of  Bedford, 
married  Sunday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  May  21.    Polydore  B.  Wisner,  attorney  at  law,  and  Maria  Blydenburoh,  of  Smithtown,  L.  I., 

Married  last  Sunday  at  Smithtown,  L.  I. 
1791 — Saturday,  May  21.    Thomas  Hunt  and  Ruth  Rook,  both  of  this  city,  married  Saturday  last. 
1791 — Saturday,  May  28.    Bartholomew  Fisher  and  Ohpha  Forker,  both  of  this  city,  married  Wednesday  last 

at  Burlington,  N.  J. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  4.    David  Peffer  and  Nelly'  Johnston,  both  of  this  citj',  married  Tuesday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  4.    Matthias  Crane,  of  Newark,  and  Jane  Ferris,  of  this  city,  married  Sunday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  4.  William  Smith,  Jr.,  son  of  William  Smith,  of  the  Manor  of  St.  George,  and  Han- 
nah Smith,  only  daughter  of  Philetus  Smith,  of  Smithtown,  L.  I.,  married  Wednesday  the  25th  ult.  at 
Smithtown,  L.  I. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  4.    Dr.  David  Woodhull  and  Irene  Wetmore,  eldest  daughter  of  Rev.  Noah  Wetmore, 

of  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  married  Monday  the  9th  ult.  at  Brookhaven. 
1791 — Saturday,  June  11.    Charles  Ammenhuyser  and  Elizabeth  Kelly,  both  of  this  city,  married  Sunday 

last. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  18.    Neidas  Halsey  and  Polly  Broweb,  both  of  this  city,  married  Tuesday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Paul  Richard  Place,  of  Bermuda,  and  Miss  Jauncey,  eldest  daughter  of  the  late 

Capt.  Joseph  Jauncey,  of  this  city,  married  Thursday  last. 
1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Anthony  Oglivie  and  Elizabeth  Cowdrey,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Cowdrey,  both  of 

this  city,  married  Wednesday  last. 
1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Isaac  Livesay,  druggist,  and  Jane  Lawrence,  daughter  of  John  Lawrence,  merchant, 

both  of  this  city,  married  Sunday  last. 
1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Alexander  Anderson  and  Cretia  Wright,  both  of  this  city,  married  Saturday. 
1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Daniel  Cotton,  Jr.,  merchant,  and  Eliza  Watson,  both  of  this  city,  married  at 

Stamford,  Conn. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  25.  William  Cross  and  Catherine  Sly,  both  of  Ulster  County,  married  Thursday  the 
16th  inst. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  25.  Eliphalet  Brush,  of  Demarara,  and  Sally  Ghennel,  of  this  city,  married  Wed- 
nesday the  15th  inst. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  25.  Gilbert  Aspinwall  and  Ann  Sowers,  both  of  this  city,  married  Wednesday  the  15th 
inst. 

1791 — Saturday,  June  25.    Robert  Roberts,  died  Saturday  last  at  Philadelphia,  aged  48. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  2.  Caleb  Boyle  and  Eliza  Stanton,  daughter  of  George  Stanton,  both  of  this  city,  mar- 
ried Thursday  last. 


[  237  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


1791 — Saturday,  July  2.  Jacob  Mobton  and  Catuarimk  Ludi.ow,  daughter  of  Cary  Ludlow,  both  of  this  city, 
married  Saturday  26th  inst. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  9.  Thomas  Johnsok,  of  this  city,  and  Cobneua  Storehouse,  of  Newark,  married  at 
Newark  on  Monday. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  9.  Rev.  Mb.  Elijah  Rattoon,  of  the  Ej)iscopal  Church  at  Brooklyn,  and  Miss  Bache, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bache,  of  this  city,  married  at  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  June  80th. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  9.  Mbs.  Mabia  Barclay,  widow  of  James  Barclay,  died  on  the  6th  inst.  in  her  44th  year. 
Interment  Trinity  Church. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  16.    Mb.  Mackey,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Euza  Miciizau,  of  Staten  Island,  married  Satur- 
day last  at  Staten  Island. 
1791 — Saturday,  July  16.    John  Richet  and  Johanna  Denton,  married  Monday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  July  16.    Alexander  Macomb  and  Mas.  Rucker,  widow  of  John  Rucker,  married  Monday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  August  6.  Mr.  Simmond,  merchant,  and  Mi8.s  Wilkes,  daughter  of  Israel  Wilkes,  all  of  this 
city,  married  Saturday  last. 

1791 — Saturday,  August  6.  William  Rhodes,  merchant,  and  Sophia  Roorabach,  both  of  this  city,  married  Fri- 
day the  26th. 

1791 — Saturday,  August  18.    Capt.  Thomas  S.  Strong,  eldest  son  of  Hon.  Selah  Strong,  and  Hannah  Brewster, 

daughter  of  Joseph  Brewster,  married  at  Brook  Haven,  L.  I.,  Sunday  the  7th. 
1791 — Saturday,  August  20.    James  M'Cready  and  Mary  Wool,  both  of  this  city,  married  Saturday  last. 


HOW  NEW  YORK'S  MAGNIFICENT  PUBLIC  SCHOOL 

SYSTEM  BEGAN 

The  magnificence  of  New  York's  Public  School  system  is  the  admiration  not 
only  of  its  own  citizens  but  of  the  outside  world  as  well.  A  brief  account  of  its 
modest  beginnings  will  be  of  interest.  A  comparison  of  the  first  old  Henry  Street 
School  with  the  present  Erasmus,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Washington  Irving,  or  Wad- 
leigh  High  School  is  something  of  which  we  all  have  a  right  to  be  proud. 

In  1637  the  first  school  was  established  by  the  Dutch  at  New  Amsterdam. 
Adam  Roelantsen  was  appointed  Schoolmaster.  In  1642  he  built  a  house  in  which 
he  taught  school,  and  a  tablet  on  the  Produce  Exchange  on  Stone  Street,  placed 
by  the  Schoolmasters'  Club  of  New  York  in  1910,  marks  the  site  of  this  school 
house. 

Our  present  school  system  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  formation  of  the  Free 
School  Society  estabhshed  in  1805,  when  the  city  had  a  population  of  75,770. 
Private  and  church  schools  up  to  this  time  were  the  only  means  of  education.  De 
Witt  Clinton  was  the  leader  of  the  Free  School  Society  and  its  first  president. 

The  first  school  building  erected  by  this  Society  was  built  in  1809  in  Henry 
Street.  The  ground  was  given  by  Col.  Rutgers  for  the  purpose.  The  develop- 
ment since  then  has  been  rapid  and  continuous,  and  our  present  Public  School 
system  is  the  result.  It  is  doubtful  if  any  organization  ever  started  a  project  with 
such  marvellous  final  results  as  did  the  Free  School  Society. 

A  yellow  time-stained  book  containing  the  autograph  signatures  of  those  public 
spirited  citizens  who  contributed  to  the  establishment  of  the  fii'st  Free  School  is 
still  preserved  in  the  rooms  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  The  page  is 
headed : 

"We  the  Subscribers  promise  to  pay  on  demand  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  New  York  Free  School  Society  the 
sums  afSxed  by  us  opposite  to  our  respective  names." 


[  238  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.   H.  C.  BROWM 


iifialiiiaun  0quarp:  S>iU  of  Metro\tolitmi  litfp  iluauraurr  Qlumpany,  1330 


SHOWING  MR.  S  L.  M  BARLOW  S  HOUSE  AT  RIGHT.  DR,  PARKHURST  S 
CHURCH  ON  THE  LEFT.  WITH  THE  RESIDENCES  OF  MR  WILLIAM 
H.  APPLETON.  MR.  WILLIAM  E.  LAIMBEER.  MR.  EDWIN  PARSONS.  IN 
BETWEEN. 

THE  FAMOUS  CLOCK  TOWER  OF  THE  METROPOLITAN  REARS  ITS 
LOFTY  HEAD  ON  THE  SITE  OF  THE  STEEPLE  OF  THE  OLD  CHURCH. 
AND  IS  ONE  OF  THE  TALLEST  STRUCTURES  IN  THE  WORLD  NO 
PART  OF  NEW  YORK  SHOWS  GREATER  AND  BETTER  CHANGES  THAN 
THIS  ANCIENT  POTTER'S  FIELD-MADISON  SQUARE 

FROM   THE  COLLECTION   OF   MR.  W    M.  STABLER 


New  York's  Magnificent  Public  School  System 


As  this  is  a  Roll  of  Honor  of  the  first  importance  it  affords  us  pleasure  to  repro- 
duce herewith  the  list  of  names  in  full : 


De  Witt  Clinton 

Geo.  Newbold 

David  L.  Haight 

W.  Edgar 

Wm.  Rhoades 

Wm.  Smith 

M.  Clarkson 

J.  E.  R.  Birch 

Elias  Haines 

Nath.  G.  Ingrahain 

Nath.  G.  Minturn 

James  Conklin 

David  Hosack 

Samuel  Leggett 

Wm.  King 

James  Thompson 

Robert  G.  Cornell 

Thos.  Collins 

James  Slidell 

John  Mason 

Wm.  Collins 

Samuel  Barrowe 

A.  H.  Lawrence 

Robt.  Pearsall 

John  Morris 

Abraham  Bell 

F.  Thompson 

Cornelius  De  Bois 

O.  B.  Hicks 

Isaac  Wright 

Samuel  Campbell 

Jos.  Buckley 

Thos.  Pearsall 

Daniel  McCormick 

James  Bogert  Jr. 

Arthur  Marx 

Wm.  Bayard 

A.  B.  Cash 

R.  B.  Forbes 

James  M.  Evers 

George  Warner 

Cornl.  J.  Bogert 

Herman  Le  Roy 

John  H.  Livingston 

W.  Pew  ? 

Isaac  L.  Kip 

Ephin  Hart 

John  R.  Murray 

Peter  Jay  Munro 

James  Cooper 

B.  B.  Cruger 

J.  Waddington 

Allen  Sheperd 

Olive  H.  Hicks 

Cornelius  Bay  ley 

John  Craig 

Benj.  Bailey 

Archibald  Gracie 

Thos.  Buckley 

S.  Jones  Jr. 

John  J.  Glover 

Wm.  Tilton 

John  Day 

Stephen  B.  Munn 

Jesse  R.  Smith 

John  Grant 

Alexr  Dunlap 

Harriot  Murray 

J.  Whitten 

Wm.  W.  Rodman 

Wm.  Ogden 

Edwd.  Moorwood 

Wm.  T.  Robinson 

B.  D.  Perkins 

J.  Ogden 

John  Titus 

Sam  Stuart 

Jos.  Thebaud 

Wm.  Franklin 

Richard  Varick 

Henry  Remsen 

John  Kane 

John  A.  Graham 

J.  C.  Van  Wyck 

Benj.  Pell 

Samuel  Mott 

Benj.  Ferris 

John  D.  Lawrence 

Jeremiah  Thompson 

Silvanus  Miller 

Jacob  Scheffelin 

Benj.  Marshall 

Ludlow 

Wm.  K.  Smedes 

Benj.  Clark 

Richard  R.  Lawrence 

Benj.  Page 

John  Greene 

John  Murray 

Walter  Bowne 

Wm.  Lovitt 

Thos.  W.  Lent 

Samuel  Parsons 

Edward  Wickham  Jr. 

Valentine  ? 

Wm.  L.  Burling 

Samuel  Davis 

Elias  Kane 

Jacob  Barker 

Wm.  Waring 

Benj.  S.  Collins 

Abm.  Barker 

David  L.  Dodge 

M.  &  V.  G.  Fish 

Thomas  Eddy 

Thos.  Slidell 

Robert  Abbott  Jr. 

John  Murray  Jr. 

Cornelius  Grinnell 

Wm.  Rhinelander 

Henry  Ten  Brook 

John  Vanderbilt  Jr. 

Ph.  Rhinelander 

Matthew  Franklin 

Thos.  Freeborn 

John  Jacob  Astor 

Adiron  Hegeman 

John  McComb 

J.  C.  Vanderheuvel? 

Leonard  Bleecker 

Abraham  Labagh 

W.  Rhinelander  Jr. 

R.  D.  Perkins 

Richard  Chalk 

E.  S.  Weeks 

Thos.  Franklin 

John  Leonard 

Abm.  Brinckerhoff 

Gerritt  H.  Van  Wagenen 

John  Craig 

Michael  Hogan 

Samuel  Prime 

John  R.  Murray 

Nathan  Pendleton 

Nichs  B.  Brower 

James  Anderson 

John  McLean 

Wm.  Ash 

Thos.  Collins 

J.  A.  Woods 

Henry  Fanning 

John  McLean 

Saml.  Burling 

Washington  Morton 

Sarah  M.  Romeyr 

R.  Seaman 

Benj.  Bakewill 

Archibald  Bruce 

Israel  Corse 

Isaac  Lawrence 

John  Pintard 

John  Craig 

Samuel  Doughty 

Jacob  L.  Sebring 

James  Quackcnbush 

Nicholas  Van  Antwerp 

Gamaliel  Smith 

Fred,  de  Peyster 

H.  E.  Height 

Cornelius  Cadle 

Wm.  T.  Slocum 

[241] 


Glimpses  or  Old  New  York 


Robert  H.  Bowne 

Thos.  Buckley 

James  Manning 

John  T.  Glover 

Jonas  C.  Minturn 

Cornl  Heyer 

Thomas  Kinder 

Alex  S.  Glass 

Peter  Eltine 

Samuel  Gcdney 

licnj.  Ogden 

Geo.  Bement 

Isaac  H.  Jackson 

Van  Gieson 

James  Roosevelt 

Noah  Talcott 

Van  Blarcom 

Wm.  Walton 

Silvanus  T.  Jenkins 

G.  Denton 

John  Gardner 

Lawrence  Whitney 

William  Cairns 

Wm.  Prall 

Wm.  Clapp 

James  Lent 

John  L.  Bowne 

John  Toni 

Wm.  Minturn 

J.  G.  Bogert 

Goolet  Hoyt 

Edmd  Kirby 

Geo.  Newbold 

Thos.  Burling 

Nehemiah  Allen 

Charles  Marsh 

John  McKesson 

N.  L.  &  Geo.  Griswold 

Elizah  Ferris 

Benjamin  Gillinturn 

John  Franklin 

Richard  Cumingham 

Wm.  M.  Phigmert 

John  T.  Lawrence 

John  Wheeler 

John  W.  Russel 

Henry  Post  Jr. 

Win.  Rogers 

Samuel  Hicks 

James  Gourlay 

John  Suydam 

Valentine  Hicks 

John  Stoutenburgh 

David  Underbill 

Wni.  &  S.  Robinson 

Win.  Moore 

Isaac  Collins 

Thos.  Waldrn 

.lohn  Aspinwali 

James  Gillespie 

F.  M.  Walden 

(Wlbrrt  Aspinwali 

Robert  Chescborough 

John  F.  ChHni])i()n 

Saml.  Stansbury 

W.  &  G.  Post 

D.  Lynch 

The  following  quaint  memorandum  also  appears  in  the  book : 

8  Dollars  entitles  subscriber  to  be  a  member 
25      "  "      and  to  send  one  scholar. 

40      "  "        "    "    "    two  scholars. 

De  Witt  Clinton  Pres. 

John  Murray  Jr.  Vice  Pres. 

Leonard  Bleecker  Treas. 

Benj.  D.  Perkins  Secy. 
New  York  May  18th  1805. 

OLD  FIFTH  AVENUE  AND  THE  PEOPLE  WHO  LIVED 

THERE  IN  1851 

The  present  plan  of  streets  and  avenues  in  our  city  was  the  result  of  the 
labors  of  a  Commission  appointed  in  1807  who  finished  their  work  in  1811.  Ac- 
companying their  report  the  Commission  remarked: 

"To  some  it  may  be  a  matter  of  surprise,  that  the  whole  island  has  not  been  laid  out  as  a  City;  to 
others  it  may  be  a  subject  of  merriment,  that  the  Commissioners  have  provided  space  for  a  greater  popula- 
tion than  is  collected  at  any  spot  on  this  side  of  China.  They  have  in  this  respect  been  governed  by  the  shape 
of  the  ground.  It  is  not  improbable  that  considerable  numbers  may  be  collected  at  Haerlem,  before  the  high 
hills  to  the  southward  of  it  shall  be  built  upon  as  a  city;  and  it  is  improbable  that  (for  centuries  to  come)  the 
grounds  north  of  Haerlem  Flat  will  be  covered  with  houses." 

To  justify  their  adoption  of  straight  lines  instead  of  embellishing  the  plan 
with  circles,  ovals  and  stars,  the  commissioners  said: 

"They  could  not  but  bear  in  mind  that  a  city  is  to  be  composed  principally  of  the  habitations  of  men,  and 
that  straight  sided,  and  right  angled  houses  are  the  most  cheap  to  build  and  the  most  convenient  to  live  in. 
The  effect  of  these  plain  and  simple  reflections  was  decisive." 

No  better  idea  of  the  enormous  growth  of  New  York  can  be  had  than  by  this 
reference  to  the  original  plan  and  its  quaint  remark  about  the  huge  population 


[  242  ] 


HOUSE  OF  REFRESHMENT, 
^^^^^  B ROA  D  WAY,  5'"°AVE NU E  8.25°  STREET. 

COPTRIGHT.  1913.  H.  C.  BROWN 

(§\h  (Corporal  Slpmpaou'a  Soai»  ^attB^ 


KNOWN  AS  THE  MADISON  COTTAGE  AND  LOCATED.  INCREDIBLE  AS 
IT  MAY  SEEM.  ON  THE  CORNER  OF  FIFTH  AVENUE  AND  23ho  STREET 
AS  LATE  AS  1856  IT  WAS  A  FAVORITE  RESORT  OF  SPORTY  NEW 
YORKERS,  AND  WAS  CONSIDERED  QUITE  A  SMART  BIT  OUT  OF  TOWN 
IT  WAS  THE  FORERUNNER  OF  THE  FIFTH  AVENUE  HOTEL.  FRAN- 
COM  S  HIPPODROME  AND  CIRCUS  OCCUPIED  THIS  SAME  SITE  A 
YEAR  BEFORE.  OUR  PICTURE  IS  A  COPY  OF  ONE  OF  HIS  ADVER- 
TISING SHOW  CARDS.  AND  GIVES  AN  EXCELLENT  IDEA  OF  THE 
LOCATION  WHICH  MR  ENO  WAS  SOON  TO  CONVERT  INTO  ONE  OF 
THE  CITY  S  GREATEST  HOSTELRIES  AN  EXTREMELY  RARE  LITHO- 
GRAPH 

FROM    THE    COLLECTION    of    MH    ROBERT  GOEIFT 


Old  Fifth  Avenue  and  Residents  in  1851 


thus  provided  for  "centuries  in  advance"  of  its  probable  requirements.  In  accor- 
dance with  this  plan  Fifth  Avenue  was  opened  in  1837,  and  the  park  called  Madi- 
son was  declared  a  Public  Square. 

The  pauper  burying  ground  which  marked  its  beginning  on  the  south,  had  some 
years  previously  been  purchased  by  the  city  and  had  been  transformed  into  beauti- 
ful Washington  Square.  Along  its  four  sides  handsome  residences  had  recently 
been  built  and  on  the  east  a  scholarly  air  had  been  imparted  to  the  neighborhood 
by  the  erection  of  that  Gothic  pile,  the  University  of  the  City  of  New  York.  So- 
ciety had  already  set  its  seal  of  approval  on  Washington  Square  and  on  the  north 
side  there  still  stands  a  row  of  brick  houses  built  at  this  time  (1833)  which  might 
be  said  to  mark  the  last  stand  of  the  old  Knickerbockers  against  the  up-town 
movement. 

The  farms  that  still  stretched  from  about  where  the  Bowery  now  is  across  to 
Sixth  Avenue,  gave  a  rural  aspect  to  everything  north  of  the  Square;  and  when 
you  went  as  far  as  the  lowlands  from  16th  to  23rd  Street  on  the  West  Side,  there 
was  still  plenty  of  good  shooting — woodcock,  Enghsh  snipe  and  rabbits.  In  fact 
for  many  years  the  "suburbs"  continued  to  afford  splendid  results  for  the  amateur 
sportsman. 

To  make  way  for  the  coming  aristocrat  of  streets,  the  historic  farms  of  Bre- 
voort,  Spingler,  Van  Buren,  Burling  and  Varian  were  first  brought  under  the 
sway  of  the  city  and  later  the  farms  further  north  were  included  as  was  also  the 
famous  Elgin  Botanical  Garden.  The  Brevoort  House  at  the  corner  of  Eighth 
Street  preserves  the  name  of  the  family  which  settled  here  early  in  the  eigh- 
teenth century  and  the  house  at  No.  24  was  occupied  by  a  descendant  of  the  family 
until  1850.  It  was  considered  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  a  most  palatial  resi- 
dence. 

Apparently  the  new  street  was  not  long  in  achieving  popularity  for  within  a 
few  years  we  find  it  quite  thickly  settled  and  the  character  of  houses  from  the  first 
partook  of  that  regal  quahty  which  has  ever  remained  its  leading  characteristic. 
The  Church  of  the  Ascension  (Episcopal),  corner  of  10th  Street,  of  which  the 
Rev.  Percy  Stickney  Grant  is  now  rector,  was  built  in  1840;  and  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church,  11th  and  12th  Streets,  Rev.  Howard  Dufiield  now  pastor,  in 
1845. 

The  following  list  taken  from  the  city  directory  of  1851  gives  a  complete 
register  of  the  houses  built  up  to  that  time  and  also  shows  the  unoccupied  lots 
left  here  and  there  to  be  tenanted  not  long  after. 


1  Lucy  Green's  School. 

2  Vacant  lot. 

8  Samuel  Jaudin 

4  Vacant  lot 

5  Wm.  Van  Hook 

6  Vacant  lot 

7  Mary  Vandervoort 

8  Vacant  lot 

9  N  M  Beckwith 
10  Thos  Egleston 


11  D  M  Barnes 

12  Augustus  Zerega 

13  I  R  Livingston 

14  A  Le  Babier 

15  S  Wood 

16  G  R  Green 

17  Henry  Bergh 

18  Vacant  lot 

19  P  S  Forbes 

20  Vacant 


21  Unoccupied 
28  C  D  Marsh 


24  H  C  De  Rahm 

25  G  W  Morris 

27  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Potts 


29  Abby  Irving 

31  James  Marsh 

32  Vacant  lot 


33  T  T  Woodruff 
85  Vacant  lot 


[  245  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


87  Francis  Cottonet 

80 

M  B  Trimble 

117  now  building 

88  Ascension  Church 

81 

now  building 

vacant  lot 

40  R  B  Fosdick 

82 

August  Belmont 

vacant  lot 

J  A  Parks  &  Co 

83 

now  building 

R  M  Gibbs 

Luther  Wilcox 

84 

Benjamin  Aymar 

Geo  Griswold 

43  Unoccupied 

86 

now  building 

T  S  Gibbes 

44  H  R  Remsen 

86 

Myndert  Van  Schaick 

A  C  Kingsland 

45  D  S  Kennedy 

88 

J  K  Myers 

129  now  building 

49  Jas  Donaldson 

90 

Abr.  Van  Buren 

Geo  Lewis 

Vacant  lots 

Gustavus  Berquist 

Effingham  Townsend 

57  J  S  Rodgers  M.  D. 

94 

Mary  a  Pell 

Moses  Taylor 

68  St.  Bartholomews  Church 

96 

Edward  Hoyt 

Samuel  Riggs 

59  Unoccupied 

98 

C  M  Parker 

James  Litton 

Jas  Lenox 

99 

D  B  Fearing 

92  Jas  Broolts 

Eliza  S  Maitland 

100 

Aaron  Vail 

94  Henry  Stebbins 

R  B  Minturn 

101 

vacant  lot 

134  R  C  Townsend 

65  Vacant  lot 

102 

Frederick  Gebhard 

135  Vacant  lot 

66  C  N  Talbot 

103 

vacant  lot 

136  Sidney  Mason 

67  Vacant  lot 

104 

now  building 

vacant  lot 

68  Bradish  Johnson 

105 

vacant  lot 

now  building 

69  Vacant  lot 

106 

now  building 

Jos  Sanford 

70  G  S  Bedford 

107 

vacant  lot 

J  R  Murray 

71  Vacant  lot 

108 

now  building 

vacant  lot 

72  N  H  Wolfe 

109 

vacant  lot 

Thos  Chambers 

73  Vacant  lot 

110 

now  building 

unoccupied 

74  Jas  McBride 

111 

vacant  lot 

B  F  Cook— land  office 

75  J  W  Cook 

112 

now  building 

now  building 

76  Isabella  Banks 

113 

vacant  lot 

Thos  Murray 

77  Now  building 

114 

now  building 

Christojjher  Mildeberger 

78  L.  M.  Hoffman 

115 

vacant  lot 

Thompson's  Cottage. 

79  Now  building 

116 

now  building 

By  this  record  we  see  that  the  avenue  terminated  at  Corporal  Thompson's 
Madison  Cottage  which  stood  at  what  is  now  the  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue  at  23rd 
Street  and  Broadway. 

Thompson's  Cottage  was  originally  the  house  of  John  Horn  and  was  the 
starting  point  of  the  Bloomingdale  Road.  It  is  located  between  22nd  and  23rd 
Streets  in  the  present  centre  of  Fifth  Avenue  on  the  exact  spot  where  the  "Isle  of 
Safety"  has  been  placed,  and  immediately  southeast  of  23rd  Street.  It  became 
later  the  residence  of  Christopher  INIildeberger,  a  merchant  in  the  swamp  who  had 
married  Margaret  Horn  in  1808  and  removed  to  this  dwelling  in  1820  from  Vande- 
water  Street.  Venerable  and  stately  sycamore  trees  lined  the  then  country  road, 
and  also  divided  the  farm  from  the  house  plot.  In  1839  Mildeberger  petitioned 
that  his  house  should  be  allowed  to  remain  on  its  site  until  actual  necessity  arose 
for  its  removal  and  by  resolution  of  the  Common  Council  it  was  permitted  to  stay 
until  November  1st.  The  homestead  was  removed  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
Avenue  at  23rd  Street,  and  was  used  as  a  tavern  known  as  Madison  Cottage  under 
lease  to  Corporal  Thompson. 

This  marked  the  extreme  northerly  limit  of  the  avenue  and  so  remained  for 
several  years  to  come.  Thompson's  cottage  was  the  popular  road-house  of  the  day 
and  was  much  frequented  by  the  driving  element  who  later  transferred  their  af- 
fections to  McGowan's  Pass  Tavern,  Cato's  and  other  popular  resorts.  It  was  also 
the  starting  place  for  several  stage  lines  that  ran  to  the  lower  part  of  the  city  and 


[  246  ] 


COPYRIRHT,  1913.    H    C.  BROWN 

3?tftl|  Aumtt  ^ate^,  1350 


THE  ONLY  KNOWN  COPY  OF  BURFORD  S  LITHOGRAPH  OF  THIS 
FAMOUS  HOSTELRY  ISSUED  AT  ITS  OPENING  CONSIDERABLE 
ARTISTIC  LICENSE  IS  SHOWN  IN  THE  VAST  CROWDS  IN  THE  PICTURE. 
AS  THE  LOCATION  AT  THAT  TIME  WAS  SO  FAR  UPTOWN  AS  TO  BE 
ALMOST  IN  THE  COUNTRY  NEVERTHELESS.  THE  SCENE  IS  CHARAC- 
TERISTIC, AND  THE  VARIOUS  COSTUMES.  VEHICLES.  ETC.,  ARE  COR- 
RECT. IT  WAS  THE  FIRST  BUILDING  IN  WHICH  AN  ELEVATOR  WAS 
INSTALLED.  NOTICE  THE  TREES  AND  PRIVATE  HOUSES  STILL 
STANDING  ON  BROADWAY  AS  FAR  UP  AS  34ni  STREET. 

rilOM   TMC   COLLECTION   OF    MU.  I'LKCY   H.  PYNE.  2N0. 


Old  Fifth  Avenue  and  Residents  in  1851 


notwithstanding  its  diminutive  size  from  present  day  proportions  it  was  a  very  im- 
portant and  well-known  establishment.  It  was  succeeded  by  Franconi's  Hippo- 
drome a  few  years  later,  and  in  1856  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  was  started,  com- 
pleted in  1858  and  opened  under  the  management  of  the  celebrated  Paran  Stevens. 

Beyond  23rd  Street  in  1850  the  Avenue  while  cut  through  was  as  yet  unpaved 
and  the  sides  fell  off  perceptibly  from  the  street  level.  The  new  Reservoir  re- 
cently built  to  supply  running  water  to  the  city  for  the  first  time,  was  by  all  means 
its  most  imposing  structure  and  was  regarded  by  citizens  and  strangers  alike  as  but 
little  short  of  the  eighth  wonder  of  the  world.  It  was  decidedly  the  most  talked  of 
"sight"  in  New  York.  The  promenade  which  encompassed  it  on  all  four  sides  was 
a  famous  and  popular  rendezvous  for  the  fashionable  afternoon  and  evening  stroll. 
It  commanded  a  beautiful  view  of  all  the  surrounding  country  including  the  pali- 
sades, the  Sound  and  the  hills  of  Westchester.  The  bright  toilettes,  the  sparkling 
water  and  the  singular  novelty  of  the  whole  place  combined  to  afford  at  once  a 
unique  and  unusually  pleasant  experience.  The  water  was  first  let  into  it  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1842,  and  on  the  14th  of  October  following  was  distributed  by  means 
of  iron  pipes  throughout  the  city.  It  was  on  the  block  between  40th  and  42d 
Streets  now  occupied  by  the  Public  Library. 

Opposite  the  Reservoir  was  a  ragged  precipice  covered  with  shanties  east  of 
the  Avenue.  In  full  view  were  the  tracks  of  the  Harlem  Road.  Wliere  the  Hotel 
Eehnont  is,  was  a  blacksmith  shop.  The  Colored  Orphans'  Home  was  located 
between  43rd  and  44th  Streets,  while  the  blocks  from  44th  to  46th  Streets  were 
covered  by  cattle  yards.  Processions  of  cattle  driven  up  and  down  the  Avenue 
were  not  uncommon.  Delmonico's,  at  44th  Street,  is  on  the  site  of  an  old  abattoir. 
From  51st  north  was  a  dreary  waste  of  rocks  used  only  for  goat  farms.  These  bad 
lands  later  became  Central  Park. 

At  the  corner  of  47th  Street  extending  to  51st  Street  on  the  north  and  ex- 
tending almost  to  Sixth  Avenue  on  the  west  was  the  Elgin  Botanical  Gardens  com- 
posing about  twenty  acres.  In  1814  this  tract  was  deeded  by  the  State  to  Colum- 
bia College  to  replace  a  Vermont  township  granted  long  before  but  lost  when  the 
claim  of  New  York  to  the  territory  was  denied.  This  incident  forms  one  of  the 
most  striking  and  romantic  events  in  all  the  history  of  our  famous  Avenue.  While 
the  loss  of  the  land  originally  given  to  Columbia  seemed,  at  the  time,  an  irrepar- 
able misfortune,  it  turned  out  to  be,  without  question,  the  greatest  instance  of  a 
blessing  in  disguise  ever  recorded. 

The  Vermont  land  is  to-day  worth  no  more  than  it  was  then  and  perhaps  not 
so  mucli,  while  the  Botanical  Gardens  plot,  occupying  as  it  does  one  of  the  choicest 
sections  of  the  most  valuable  street  in  the  world,  has  made  Columbia  College  one  of 
the  richest  seats  of  learning  in  America. 

For  many  years  before  the  transfer  to  Columbia,  the  Elgin  Botanical  Gardens 
had  borne  a  graceful  part  in  the  intellectual  and  social  life  of  the  city.  They  were 
laid  out  in  1801  by  the  celebrated  Dr.  David  Hosack,  professor  of  Botany  at  Co- 
lumbia, for  use  of  students  in  the  work,  and  men  eminent  in  science  were  often  to 
be  seen  there.   When  the  social  centre  of  New  York  was  still  around  St.  Mark's 


[  249] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Place,  St.  John's  Park,  Gramercy  Park,  Washington  Square,  Bond  Street  and 
Stuyvesant  Square,  the  gardens  lay  at  a  convenient  distance  for  an  afternoon 
drive.  At  the  time  of  the  transfer,  though  the  legislature  estimated  the  land  to  be 
worth  $75,000,  it  was  admitted  that  at  a  forced  sale  "they  would  not  bring  more 
than  $6,000  or  $7,000." 

In  the  same  neighborhood  another  romance  of  fortunate  purchase  concerns 
the  block  on  which  the  Windsor  Arcade  now  stands.  This  land  appears  on  an  old 
map  as  part  of  the  farm  of  Thomas  Buchanan,  a  prominent  merchant,  who  married 
the  daughter  of  Jacob  Townsend  of  Oyster  Bay.  Tradition  says  that  the  young 
wife  was  unwilling  to  give  up  the  country  life  to  which  she  was  accustomed  and 
specially  desired  a  home  where  she  could  keep  a  family  cow.  To  humor  this  wish 
Mr.  Buchanan  bought  his  farm,  which  has  since  become  one  of  the  most  valuable 
blocks  on  the  Avenue.  The  two  daughters  of  the  Buchanans  married  the  Goelet 
brothers. 


[250] 


FOR  MANY  YEARS  OLD  CHICKERING  HALL  STOOD  HIGH  IN  THE 
AFFECTIONS  OF  LITERARY  AND  MUSICAL  NEW  YORKERS  FEW 
ARTISTS  OF  ANY  PROMINENCE  IN  THE  CONCERT  OR  LECTURE  LINE 
FAILED  TO  APPEAR  HERE  CHARLES  DICKENS  GAVE  HIS  READINGS 
THACKERAY  AND  MANY  OTHERS  EQUALLY  WELL  KNOWN  N  THEIR 
DAY  WERE  HEARD  IN  THIS  FAMOUS  BUILDING 


CHAPTER  VII 


NEW  YORK:  1816—1916 

Wonderf  ul  Changes  in  the  City  of  To-day  as  Compared  with  a  Hundred  Years 
Ago:  Interesting  Description  of  Its  Size,  Streets,  Theatres ,  Etc.,  Etc. 

A  century  in  the  life  of  a  municipality  is  a  very  short  time.  London  is  over 
a  thousand  years  old  and  Paris  nearly  as  many.  At  the  most  our  own  city  is 
scarcely  a  hundred  and  fifty,  counting  from  1789,  when  we  elected  our  first  Presi- 
dent, while  another  similar  period  takes  us  back  to  the  days  when  Hudson  an- 
chored the  Half  Moon  in  our  waters  for  the  first  time. 

And  yet  to-day  we  are  the  first  city  in  the  world — the  first  in  population,  in 
wealth  and  in  commercial  importance.  In  the  height  of  our  buildings,  the  daring 
originality  of  our  architecture,  the  length  of  our  subways,  the  size  of  our  parks,  the 
number  of  our  bridges,  the  importance  of  public  and  private  buildings  we  stand 
absolutely  alone.  Incredible  as  it  may  seem  there  is  no  more  beautiful  business 
building  architecturally  in  any  city  in  the  world  than  the  Woolworth  on  our  own 
Broadway.  A  dozen  others  are  entitled  to  almost  equal  praise.  New  York  builds 
not  only  for  utility  but  for  beauty  as  well  and  its  general  color  scheme  of  white 
combined  with  its  brilliant  sunshine  makes  it  one  of  the  most  dazzlingly  beautiful 
cities  in  the  world. 

In  the  matter  of  transportation  alone  the  difference  between  to-day  and  a  hun- 
dred years  ago  almost  surpasses  belief.  Within  a  few  months  at  most  when  you 
leave  your  business  for  the  day  you  will  be  able  to  enter  the  subway  at  South 
Ferry,  and  boarding  an  express  train,  select  a  comfortable  seat,  with  perfect 


[253] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  Yohk 


heat  and  light,  devote  yourself  to  your  favorite  newspaper  for  about  forty  min- 
utes, and  be  transported  to  the  other  end  of  the  city,  say  at  Pelham  Bay  Park,  a 
distance  of  very  nearly  twenty  miles. 

In  other  directions  changes  have  been  equally  important.  But  our  readers 
who  know  the  city  as  it  is  to-day  would  no  doubt  like  to  know  what  it  was  a  hundred 
years  ago  and  the  following  selections  from  newspapers  and  other  publications  of 
that  period  will  doubtless  be  found  of  great  interest,  as  they  relate  to  exactly  the 
same  city  in  which  they  now  live.  Our  first  quotation  therefore  is  from  a  Guide 
Book  of  the  city  of  unusually  careful  compiling  and  consequently  of  great  value 
in  its  descriptions  of  the  city  in  various  directions.  These  guide  books  were  well 
edited  and  were  depended  upon  by  the  stranger  for  information  regarding  the 
city.  This  one  begins  with  the  following  description  of  the  city,  its  size  and  other 
details. 

"In  extent  the  city  measures  in  length  from  the  Battery  to  81st  Street  about  four  miles.  The  whole  of 
this  space  is  not  yet  covered  with  buildings,  but  the  greater  proportion  of  it  is,  and  probably  as  new  houses 
are  rapidly  appearing,  the  plan  of  the  City  will  be  filled  up  in  the  course  of  a  few  years." 

Should  it  happen  that  you  do  live  near  Pelham  Bay  Park  and  are  fond  of 
fishing,  hunting,  skating,  etc.,  you  maj'^  have  the.se  at  hand,  but  by  no  means  to  such 
an  extent  as  in  the  neighborhood  of  Thirty-first  Street  a  hundred  years  ago,  when 
it  was  the  extreme  outskirts  of  the  flourishing  City  of  New  York  and  even  now  there 
are  still  living  some  old  citizens  who  can  tell  you  of  the  snipe,  etc.,  to  be  had 
where  the  Public  Library  stands,  and  the  fishing  where  the  Park  Avenue  Hotel  is. 

The  same  writer  goes  on  to  say: 

"The  number  of  Dwelling  Houses  is  estimated  at  17,000.  The  population  exceeds  100,000,  which  gives 
about  six  inhabitants  to  each  house.  In  consequence  of  the  many  destructive  fires  which  happened  in  New 
York,  all  houses  erected  within  a  certain  district  must  now  be  built  of  brick  or  stone,  with  party  or  fire  walls 
at  least  six  inches  above  the  roof.  This  regulation  has  introduced  much  neatness  and  regularity  in  the  general 
aspect  of  the  dwelling  houses." 

Apropos  of  the  population  at  this  time  a  very  curious  prediction  was  made  as 
to  its  future  increase;  it  was  estimated  that  every  five  years  would  see  25  per  cent, 
added  and  %vhich  computed  to  1900  made  a  grand  total  of  5,247,493!  A  commen- 
tator had  this  to  say: 

"The  ratio  however  will  by  no  means  continue  in  the  same  proportion,  as  here  given,  from  various  causes, 
but  especially  from  the  want  of  adequate  building  room  to  accommodate  suitably  such  an  enormous  increase 
on  this  island.  It  is  barely  possible  that  the  year  1850  may  see  this  city  with  a  population  of  4  to  5  hundred 
thousand  but  beyond  that  number  the  increase  must  be  more  limited  yearly!" 

Of  course  Greater  New  York  has  outgrown  the  limits  of  jSIanhattan  Island 
and  has  arrived  at  the  distinction  of  being  the  most  populous  city  of  the  world,  and 
the  word  of  the  prophet  has  come  true  aknost  exactly,  the  population  for  1916  be- 
ing 5,685,000. 

But  what  of  the  estimate  of  six  inliabitants  to  each  dwelling?  Our  conserva- 
tive friend  could  not  possibly  foresee  a  single  building  housing  thousands  of  the 
inhabitants  at  one  time,  as  is  quite  possible  now  in  several  of  New  York's  hotels 
and  apartment  buildings. 


[  254  ] 


3liihu  ^tmt  miptliuftist  (ttljurrl).  17BB 


THIS  IS  THE  CRADLE  OF  METHODISM  IN  AMERICA.  THE  ORIGINAL 
BUILDING  STOOD  ONTHISSAMESITEBACKIN  1768.  THE  CHURCH 
WAS  STARTED  IN  A  SAIL  LOFT  AT  1  20  WILLIAM  STREET  BY  BARBARA 
HECK.  WILLIAM  EMBURY  AND  CAPTAIN  WEBB.  AND  WAS  THE  FIRST 
OF  THAT  DENOMINATION  IT  IS  ONE  OF  THE  VERY  OLDEST 
CHURCHES  IN  AMERICA 

ALMOST  ACROSS  THE  STREET.  AT  15-21.  STOOD  ALSO  THE  FIRST 
THEATRE  BUILT  IN  NEW  YORK  — THE  ROYAL."  MAJOR  ANDRE 
PERFORMED  HERE  IN  PRODUCTIONS  OF  HIS  OWN  DURING  THE 
REVOLUTION.  AND  HAIL  COLUMBIA  '  WAS  PLAYED  FOR  THE  FIRST 
TIME  IN  HONOR  OF  WASHINGTON;  BY  FYLES.  ITS  COMPOSER  JOE 
JEFFERSON  MADE  HIS  FIRST  APPEARANCE  HERE.  ALSO. 

FROM   THE   [lOLLrCTlON   U(    MH.  N    (-  PALMCK 


New  York:  1816—1916 


New  York  boasted  of  its  hotels,  etc.,  in  1816  just  as  we  do  now.  Note  the  gor- 
geousness  of  one  of  them  at  least  and  compare  it  mentally  with  the  Biltmore  or 
the  Waldorf  and  remember  that  for  a  decade  the  City  Hotel  was  the  leading  hotel 
of  New  York's  exclusive  society  and  rejoiced  in  everything  pertaining  to  a  first- 
class  hostelry  in  this  country  at  that  time. 

"The  City  of  N.  Y.  is  amply  provided  with  these  for  the  accommodation  of  visitors.  There  are  no  lodging 
houses  or  furnished  apartments  here  as  in  England.  Strangers  must  board  in  the  place  where  they  lodge.  Un- 
furnished rooms  may  sometimes  be  had,  but  these  have  been  diflBcult  to  procure  of  late,  owing  to  the  rapid 
increase  of  the  population.  These  are  the  Hotels: — City  Hotel,  B'way — Merchants'  Hotel,  Wall  Street — Me- 
chanics' Hall,  B'way — Tontine's  CoflFee  House,  Wall  St. — Bank  Coffee  House,  Pine  Street — Tammany  Hall,  Nas- 
sau Street — Washington  Hall,  B'way — Commerce  Hotel,  Pearl  St. 

"The  principal  of  these  is  the  City  Hotel — it  is  an  immense  building  6  stories  in  height,  and  contains  75 
rooms  of  various  dimensions,  fitted  up  and  furnished  in  a  tasteful  and  elegant  manner.  Every  luxury  of  the 
table  to  be  obtained  is  provided  for  the  patrons." 


It  was  at  the  City  Hotel  in  1816  the  first  savings  bank  in  New  York  was  or- 
ganized and  here  was  held  the  first  meeting  of  citizens  for  promoting  the  Erie  Canal 


At  a  numerous  and  respectable  Meeting  of  the  citizens  held  agreeably  to  public  notice  at  the  City  Hotel 
on  Saturday  eve.,  Dec.  30,  1815,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  measures  proper  to  be 
adopted  in  order  to  promote  a  Canal  Navigation  between  the  banks  of  the  East  River,  a  few  yards  east  of  the 
Hudson  River — Wm.  Bayard,  Esq.,  in  the  chair — John  Pintard  secretary. 

De  Witt  Clinton,  Esq.,  from  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose  at  a  former  meeting,  reported  that 
in  their  opinion  it  would  be  proper  to  present  a  memorial  to  the  Legislature  in  favor  of  a  canal  from  Lake  Erie 
to  the  Hudson,  and  that  the  committee  had  prepared  such  memorial  for  the  consideration  of  this  meeting. 

Resolved  unanimously  that  the  same  be  adopted.  And 

Resolved  that  De  Witt  Clinton,  Cadwalader  D.  Colden,  John  Swartwout,  Thomas  Eddy,  and  William 
Bayard,  Esquires,  be  a  general  committee  ...  to  promote  the  undertaking. 

The  proprietor  of  a  hotel  not  mentioned  in  the  Guide  Book  to  New  York  thus 
addresses  himself  to  the  public  through  the  columns  of  the  Evening  Post : 

Miles  Greenwood  having  made  arrangements  for  the  accommodation  of  an  additional  number  of  boarders 
at  the  Union  Hotel,  68  William  St.,  begs  leave  to  solocit  the  patronage  of  those  gentlemen  desirous  to  economize 
in  their  expenses.  He  hopes  however  that  those  not  so  desirous  will  not  be  discouraged  from  honoring  him 
with  a  visit,  by  the  humble  terms  on  which  he  proposes  to  serve  them,  but  that  they  will  estimate  his  house 
according  to  the  quality  of  its  provisions  and  conveniences. 

Boarders  can  be  accommodated  at  3.60  a  week. 

And  those  in  search  of  a  good  roadhouse  as  far  away  as  Twenty-sixth  Street, 
might  be  accommodated  here : 

Bellevtie  Coffee  House — Nicholas  Thompson,  late  of  147  Water  Street,  informs  his  friends  and  the  public 
that  he  has  opened  that  agreeably  situated  House  on  the  banks  of  the  East  River,  a  few  yards  east  of  the 
new  Alms  House  (26th  Street),  called  the  Bellevue  Coffee  House,  where  he  will  pay  every  attention  to  the  ac- 
commodation of  those  who  visit  it.  Dinners,  Breakfasts,  and  Suppers  and  Relishes  furnished  in  a  handsome  style 
and  at  moderate  prices.  A  Boat  with  fishing  tackle,  etc.,  is  kept  for  the  use  of  Customers,  also  an  elegant 
Bathing  House. 

This  shows  that  tailor-made  gowns  were  popular : 

Mrs.  Barber,  Corset,  Dress  and  Habit  Maker  has  removed  from  No.  80  to  No.  96  Broadway  and  will 
use  her  best  endeavors  to  obtain  the  earliest  European  fashions. 

This  introduces  Franklin  Street : 

On  the  petition  of  the  owners  and  inhabitants  of  property  on  Sugar  Loaf  Street,  the  name  of  said 
street  was  changed  to  that  of  Franklin  Street. — Evening  Post,  July  10,  1816. 


as  here  set  forth: 


[  257  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Here  is  the  first  notice  of  the  opening  of  Macomb's  Dam  from  the  Evening 
Post,  July  12,  1810: 

Macomb's  Stone  Dam,  across  the  Harlaem  River.  The  subscriber  announces  that  Colonel  Macomb's 
Stone  Dam,  across  the  Harlaem  River  is  completed;  and  that  it  is  so  constructed  as  to  answer  all  the  purposes 
of  a  bridge,  being  brought  up  to  a  surface  of  twenty-four  feet  in  width  in  the  clear.  The  roads  connected 
therewith  are  so  far  finished  as  to  open  a  direct  route  to  Williamsbridge,  White  Plains,  etc. 

JoHX  Mahshall,  Superintendent. 

And  this  is  from  a  member  of  the  Anti-noise  Society  in  the  Gazette,  July 
9,  1816: 

Communication — Our  city  has  of  late  taken  a  very  musical  turn.  In  the  day  time  we  are  entertained 
with  trumpets  by  the  New  Jersey  buttermilk  blacks,  and  New  York  rusk-boys — in  the  night  by  the  smutty 
ditties  of  the  nightly  scavengers.  Would  it  not  greatly  add  to  the  harmony,  to  have  the  bells  of  all  the 
churches  rung  at  every  half-hour  in  order  that  the  sick  and  dying  may  keep  an  account  of  their  last  moments? 

Here  is  a  complaint  common  to-day  with  the  same  satisfactory  answer: 

The  practice  of  sweeping  the  streets  in  dry  windy  weather,  without  previously  sprinkling,  ought  to  be 
prohibited  by  the  civil  authority.  No  person  can  walk  during  sweeping  hours  without  being  almost  suffo- 
cated. 

[In  reply  to  the  above  we  have  to  remark  that  there  is  an  ordinance  of  the  corporation  forbidding  this 
practice.    It  is  evident  no  notice  is  taken  of  the  constant  infringement  of  the  law.] 

Never  remedied  except  during  the  administration  of  the  late  lamented  Col. 
Waring,  the  best  Street  Commissioner  New  York  ever  had. 

The  wood  sawyer  pursuing  his  occupation  was  a  common  sight. 

Cohoneh's  Report — A  man  unknown  about  86  years  old,  while  sawing  wood  in  Pearl  Street,  dropped 
down  dead. 

Demand  for  pews  in  the  fashionable  St.  George's  Church  in  Beekman  Street 
was  quite  brisk. 

Wanted — Either  the  whole  or  half  of  a  Pew,  on  the  ground  floor  of  St.  George's  Church,  contiguous  to 
the  pulpit;  for  which  a  liberal  rent  will  be  paid. 

Apparently  the  changes  are  momentous  in  the  hundred  years  just  passed,  as 
these  comparisons  show  us.    They  are  worth  recording. 

THE  STADT  BUYS,  OR  CITY  HALL,  OF  NEW  YORK 

The  first  municipal  building  of  importance  in  New  York  was  undoubtedly  the 
Stadt  Huys  which  was  erected  at  the  corner  of  Pearl  Street  and  Coenties  Slip.  The 
view  we  show  is  doubtless  the  best  we  have  of  this  famous  building  in  its  palmiest 
days.  The  opening  into  Coenties  Alley  is  distinctly  sho^vn  at  the  right.  The  land 
end  of  the  long  dock  is  also  shown,  as  well  as  the  Battery.  Lovelace's  Tavern  ad- 
joins the  Stadt  Huys  on  the  left.  This  building  for  many  years  answered  all  the 
purposes  of  our  present  City  Hall,  in  addition  to  which  it  also  provided  quarters 
for  a  jail. 

For  many  years  Washington  Irving  possessed  the  wind  vane  in  the  form  of  a 


[258] 


THIS  STRUCTURE  WAS  ERECTED  TO  RELIEVE  CONGESTION  OF 
TRAFFIC  AT  THIS  BUSY  CORNER  AND  WAS  KNOWN  AS  THE  LOEW 
BRIDGE  EVERY  FEW  MINUTES  A  PHOTOGRAPHER  WOULD  BLOW 
A  FISH  HORN  AND  RING  A  HUGE  BELL  PEOPLE  WOULD  NATURALLY 
STOP  AND  HE  WOULD  THEN  TAKE  THEIR  PHOTOGRAPHS 
KNOX,  THE  HATTER,  DID  NOT  LIKE  THE  BRIDGE  AND  COMPELLED 
ITS  REMOVAL  A  SHORT  TIME  AFTER  ITS  ERECTION, 

mOM   THE   COLLECTION    OF    COL.  E,  M  KNOX 


The  Stadt  Huys,  or  City  Hall,  of  New  York 


rooster  belonging  to  this  old  building,  which  was  removed  at  the  time  of  its  tearing 
down  in  1700,  and  for  years  it  adorned  the  roof  of  his  house  at  "Sunnyside." 
Upon  his  death  he  bequeathed  it  to  the  St.  Nicholas  Society,  in  whose  possession 
it  now  is.  This  building  was  succeeded  in  1G97  by  the  new  City  Hall  erected  at 
the  corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets.  Our  present  City  Hall,  in  the  Park,  is 
therefore  the  third  building  erected  in  Manhattan  for  the  town's  official  business, 
and  was  completed  in  1812. 

The  conflicting  terms  City  Hall  and  Federal  Hall  applied  to  the  Wall  Street 
building  arise  from  the  fact  that  the  city  in  1789  presented  the  building  to  the 
Federal  Government  for  the  use  of  the  President  and  Congress.  After  that,  it 
was  always  spoken  of  as  the  Federal  Hall.  When  the  Capital  moved  to  Philadel- 
phia, the  building  was  reoccupied  by  the  city,  but  the  name  Federal  Hall  was  still 
used. 

At  the  present  moment  (1916)  there  are  more  names  on  the  city's  payroll  than 
the  entire  population  of  the  city  a  hundred  years  ago,  and  while  we  continue  the  use 
of  the  old  building  erected  in  1812,  the  great  new  Municipal  Building  on  Chambers 
and  Centre  Streets  is  needed  to  house  the  clerical  force  alone.  Between  7,500  and 
8,000  persons  work  in  this  building  in  various  departments. 

The  old  Stadt  Huys  of  the  Dutch  makes  one  of  our  warmest  ties  with  the  old 
city  and  marks  the  first  milestone  in  the  progi-ess  of  popular  rights  as  against  the 
feudal  state  represented  by  the  Governors  and  the  Fort.  A  curious  effect  of  these 
old  pictures  is  to  visualize  the  growth  and  development  of  our  city  in  a  way  that 
is  most  easily  comprehended.  We  all  remember  in  a  general  way  our  early  studies 
of  New  York  in  school,  but  as  a  matter  of  fact  about  all  that  remains  is  a  vivid  im- 
pression of  Stuyvesant  and  his  wooden  leg — "Old  Silver  Top,"  as  one  of  the  school 
books  had  it.  The  rest  is  a  confused  blur,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  even  in  our 
later  years  a  ponderous  volume,  with  numerous  cabalistic  signs  and  figures  halt- 
ing nearly  every  sentence,  would  any  more  attract  us  than  did  our  histories  in 
those  years  gone  by.  Yet  we  have  lived  and  had  our  being  in  a  wonderful  city.  In 
our  own  brief  lifetime  we  have  witnessed  its  almost  complete  rebuilding.  Already 
bridges  have  been  discarded  in  favor  of  tunnels,  and  the  changes  have  been  so  tre- 
mendous that  we  can  hardly  realize  that  it  is  the  same  city  we  knew  in  our  youth. 
As  we  grow  older,  however,  the  past  becomes  more  interesting,  and  in  our  chil- 
dren's eyes  our  own  personal  recollections,  we  now  see,  are  beginning  to  take  upon 
themselves  the  atmosphere  of  history.  So  while  we  are  looking  at  these  old  prints, 
it  is  a  satisfaction  to  know  that  we  are  also  reading  the  history  of  the  most  wonder- 
ful city — and  now  the  largest — in  the  world. 

It  is  doubtful  if  any  venture  could  ever  succeed,  managed  as  were  the  affairs 
of  the  West  India  Company.  Separated  by  three  thousand  miles  of  trackless 
ocean,  the  immediate  personal  touch  was  lacking.  Added  to  this  was  the  fact 
that  none  of  the  settlers,  like  the  English,  had  any  idea  of  living  here  permanently. 
In  this  we  have  the  seeds  of  failure  to  start  with.  All  of  the  Dutch  Governors, 
except  Stuyvesant,  were  typical  of  the  office-holding  sycophants  common  to  the 
day.    Minuit  was  a  cipher,  Kieft  a  man  of  wretched  judgment  and  whose  de- 


[261] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


liberately  provoked  wars  with  the  Indians  ruined  the  settlement,  while  Van  Twiller 
was  equally  incompetent,  and  was  utterly  unable  to  repair  the  damage  inflicted 
during  Kieft's  regime.  Stuyvesant  suffered  from  the  cumulative  effect  of  this  mis- 
management, and  he  also  failed  to  grasp  the  significance  of  the  political  tendency  of 
the  times,  and  clung  tenaciously  to  the  tottering  theory  of  the  divine  right  of  rulers. 
This  kept  him  in  continual  disputes  with  the  people  and  the  magistrates,  and 
doubtless  did  much  to  hamper  him  in  his  real  desire  to  build  up.  The  climax  was 
reached  when  the  English  appeared  before  the  little  city  and  demanded  its  sur- 
render. To  his  utter  discomfiture  Stuyvesant  found  himself  alone  in  defying  the 
enemy,  and  the  town  capitulated. 

Nevertheless,  the  characteristics  first  introduced  by  the  Dutch  into  New  York 
have  ever  remained.  It  has  always  been  a  tolerant  town.  The  narrow,  intoler- 
ant Puritan  spirit,  characteristic  of  New  England  at  that  time,  found  no  lodg- 
ment here.  The  curious  cosmopolitanism  which  was  a  feature  of  New  York  at  its 
beginning  has  continued  ever  since,  and  the  strange  tongues  that  are  heard  on  our 
streets  to-day  are  no  stranger  nor  greater  in  number  than  existed  when  New  York 
passed  to  the  English.  At  that  time  no  less  than  eighteen  languages  were 
spoken  in  New  York,  and  every  local  ordinance,  to  be  understood  by  any  con- 
siderable part  of  the  inhabitants,  was  printed  in  three  languages — English,  Dutch 
and  French.  So  those  of  our  citizens  who  are  apt  to  decry  the  unmitigated  nuis- 
ance of  so  many  foreigners  in  our  population,  are  not  aware  that  the  condition  is 
just  what  it  has  always  been,  only  the  town  is  larger  and  consequently  the  indi- 
vidual parts  more  numerous. 

With  these  quaint  old  pictures  and  this  consequent  refreshing  of  our  memory, 
we  now  have  a  fairly  accurate  idea  of  the  City  of  New  York,  late  New  Amster- 
dam, on  the  Island  of  Manhattan  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1664,  when  the  English 
began  that  rule  which  was  to  raise  in  a  few  years  the  little  seaport  at  the  mouth 
of  Hudson's  River  from  a  position  of  utter  insignificance  to  that  of  the  leading 
city  of  His  INIost  Gracious  Majesty's  Provinces  in  America! 

ACROSS  THE  RIVER:  MEMORIES  OF  OLD  BROOKLYN 

In  1816  Brooklyn  had  a  population  of  nearly  7,000  souls.  To-day  it  has  a 
million  and  three-quarters.  Between  these  two  points  stretches  the  wonderful 
panorama  of  Brooklyn's  development.  The  quaint  old  wood-cut  we  often  see 
printed  of  the  ferry  that  plied  between  Brookl\Ti  and  Peck  Slip,  New  York,  in 
these  early  days  gives  hardly  a  hint  of  the  enormous  traffic  that  surges  from  shore 
to  shore  in  our  own  times ;  and  no  one  would  have  predicted  then  that  the  tiny  little 
village  of  low  wooden  houses  clustered  about  the  foot  of  Fulton  Street  would  ex- 
pand in  a  brief  century  into  one  of  the  greatest  aggregations  of  people  in  the  whole 
world.  When  we  compare  our  little  ferry  of  1816  with  the  immense  structures  of 
communication  of  the  present  day  it  gives  us  pause  and  we  wonder  what  the  future 
may  bring  forth. 


[  262  ] 


AN  EXCEEDINGLY  RARE  VIEW  OF  AN  IMPORTANT  DRAWING  FROM 
LIFE.  BY  H.  REINAGLE.  LITHOGRAPHED  BY  PENDLETON.  9  WALL 
STREET.  THREE  OTHER  PERF  ECT  I  M  PRESSIONS  ONLY  ARE  KNOWN. 
IT  SHOWS  THE  SITE  OCCUPIED  BY  THE  ASTOR  HOUSE  AND  THE 
OFFICE  (SMALL  BUILDING)  IN  WHICH  WILLIAM  H.  HARRISON 
(  TIPPECANOE  )  STUDIED  LAW.  ITS  GREAT  VALUE.  HOWEVER. 
CONSISTS  IN  THE  FIDELITY  WITH  WHICH  THE  STREET  TRAFFIC  AND 
FOOT  PASSENGERS  ARE  DRAWN  AND  FOR  THE  VIEW  OF  A  CORNER 
THAT  HAS  ALWAYS  FORMED  AN  IMPORTANT  INTERSECTION  OF 
THREE  BUSY  STREETS. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   Of   MR    ROBERT  GOELET. 


Across  the  River:  Memories  of  Old  Brooklyn 


Although  the  ferries  are  almost  unknown  to  the  present  generation,  they  filled 
a  very  important  place  in  the  lives  of  preceding  generations  of  Brooklynites,  and 
what  crowds  they  carried!  There  was  no  more  interesting  sight  than  to  see  these 
crowds  arriving  from  all  directions  at  the  ferry  slips.  All  the  car  lines  focussed 
on  these  points  and  unloaded  their  thousands  there,  and  streams  of  hurrying  pe- 
destrians poured  in  from  every  street  until  a  huge  mass  of  human  beings  collected, 
ready  to  push  and  hustle  for  the  boat  as  soon  as  it  was  made  tight  to  the  slip.  We 
hear  much  about  the  bridge  crowds,  but  it  is  a  question  if  the  ferry  crowds  were 
not  entitled  to  the  palm.  There  are  many  Brooklynites  living  who  can  remember 
the  exciting  and  perhaps  humorous  scenes  so  often  enacted.  It  was  not  at  all  an 
infrequent  occurrence  that  a  few  daring  souls  on  the  fringes  of  the  crowd  would 
make  a  bold  jump  for  the  ferry  boat  after  it  had  started  out  from  the  slip,  and  in- 
stead of  landing  on  the  deck  plunge  into  the  foaming  waters  below.  They  were  al- 
ways fished  up  by  the  ferry  hands  not  much  the  worse  for  the  dipping,  but  sadder 
and  wiser  men.  These  ferry  crowds  were  always  good-natured,  and  they  stood 
jammed  in  the  cabin  and  on  the  decks  indulging  in  no  more  than  the  usual  banter 
and  good-natured  fault-finding  of  the  complacent  citizen. 

There  were  other  crowds  in  those  days  that  were  just  as  picturesque  and  in- 
teresting and  belong  in  a  special  sense  to  the  life  of  Brooklyn — the  crowds  that 
besieged  Talmadge's  Tabernacle  in  Schermerhorn  Street;  and  old  Plymouth 
Church  where  Henry  Ward  Beecher  was  the  idol  of  the  people.  To  get  a  seat 
in  the  Tabernacle  in  those  days  was  out  of  the  question.  You  were  lucky  if  you 
got  inside  the  building  at  all.  Many  a  time  I  have  mingled  with  the  crowd  on  the 
outside  buzzing  around  the  building  from  one  door  to  another  trying  to  get  in. 
And  the  crowds  still  came  pouring  into  Schermerhorn  Street  from  all  the  intersec- 
ting streets  until  there  were  more  people  on  the  outside  than  there  were  in  the 
church.  Then  we  could  hear  the  cornetist  and  we  knew  the  services  were  fairly 
under  way.  By  the  time  Dr.  Talmadge  got  down  to  his  sermon  the  crowds  in  the 
corridors  thinned  out  and  any  one  who  was  tall  enough  could  look  over  the  heads 
of  those  who  jammed  the  doorways  and  get  a  view  of  the  wide  platform  and  the 
long,  thin  solitary  figure  moving  dramatically  from  one  end  to  the  other.  The  great 
duel  of  intellects  between  Col.  Ingersoll  and  Dr.  Talmadge  created  great  excite- 
ment and  attracted  greater  crowds  than  ever.  The  discussions  became  a  subject  of 
world  wide  interest,  and  were  not  always  in  favor  of  the  great  agnostic. 

It  is  often  said  that  you  must  hear  and  see  a  speaker  to  get  the  full  meaning 
and  spirit  of  what  he  says,  and  this  was  true  of  Dr.  Talmadge.  Nevertheless,  his 
sermons  were  read  by  millions  of  people  in  every  English  speaking  country  on  the 
globe.  His  enunciation  was  sometimes  execrable — he  always  said  "mulitude"  for 
multitude,  but  his  dramatic  movements  and  poses  were  so  striking  and  impressive 
and  so  perfectly  original  that  his  audience  sat  spell-bound  under  their  force  and 
power.  People  used  to  say  that  his  arms  and  legs  and  particularly  his  fingers  were 
as  eloquent  as  his  spoken  words. 

Old  Plymouth  Church,  of  course,  is  more  than  a  Brooklyn  institution.  It  is 
a  familiar  name  in  every  American  home,  and  every  Sunday  pilgrims  from  far 


[265  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


distant  points  wend  their  way  through  tlie  beautiful  old  streets  of  the  Heights  to 
this  shrine  of  the  Puritans. 

When  Mr.  Beecher  was  at  the  height  of  his  fame  in  the  early  '70's,  the  crowds 
that  came  to  hear  him  could  not  have  been  accommodated  in  a  building  twice  the 
size.  A  continual  stream  came  up  Fulton  Street  from  the  ferry  (there  was  no 
bridge  then)  and  a  long  line  of  cars  was  always  to  he  seen  discharging  their  human 
freight  at  Orange  Street,  all  bound  for  Old  Plymouth.  There  were  none  of  those 
handsome  apartment  buildings  then.  Just  the  fine  old  Colonial  houses  of  which  a 
few  still  remain.  But  all  were  bent  on  just  the  one  thing — to  hear  the  master  ora- 
tor of  the  nineteenth  century.  And  no  one  was  ever  disappointed,  for  Henry 
Ward  Beecher  could  touch  every  note  of  the  human  heart  with  a  delicacy  and 
power  unapproached  and  unapproachable.  Many  of  us  can  recall  the  fine  old 
Puritan  gentleman  as  he  briskly  ascended  the  steps  to  the  platform  and  casting  his 
soft  hat  on  the  floor  at  his  side  took  his  place  in  the  centre  chair  and  calmly  gazed 
out  on  the  great  congregation.  A  strange  quality  of  Mr.  Beecher's  voice  was  that 
no  matter  how  low  he  might  speak  you  could  hear  him  distinctly  in  every  part  of  the 
church  and  when  he  let  himself  out  his  voice  rang  with  the  clearness  and  melody  of 
a  bell. 

It  is  doubtful  if  there  ever  was  a  more  picturesque  figure  in  Brooklyn  than 
Henry  AVard  Beecher.  Countless  stories  are  told  of  his  remarkable  personality 
and  I  have  frequently  stood  beside  him  myself  crossing  the  Fulton  Ferry  on  the 
outward  deck  even  if  the  day  was  stormy.  It  was  also  a  great  habit  of  his  to  read 
on  the  front  platform  of  the  horse  cars  and  indulge  in  conversation  with  the  driver 
and  the  conductor.  In  fact,  he  was  noted  for  this  and  used  to  remark  that  many 
of  his  most  interesting  observations  resulted  from  this  experience.  Another  ec- 
centricity by  which  he  was  noted  was  his  fondness  for  precious  stones.  It  was  not 
an  unusual  thing  for  him  to  visit  a  fii'm  of  jewelers  in  Maiden  Lane  and  leave  their 
office  with  a  pocketful  of  diamonds  of  the  first  water.  These  he  delighted  to 
spread  out  on  his  library  table,  enjoying  their  wonderful  scintillating  ra3"s.  He 
seemed  to  have  a  perfect  passion  for  the  sparkling  stones,  and  after  he  had  them 
in  his  possession  a  few  days  the  firm  would  send  quietly  over  and  get  them  back 
again. 

Upon  one  occasion  he  met  his  distinguished  contemporary,  Dr.  Talmadge,  on 
Fulton  Street,  in  front  of  the  BrookljTi  Furniture  Store,  before  whose  premises 
were  displayed  a  large  assortment  of  armchairs  and  various  other  articles  for  sale. 
These  two  distinguished  citizens  became  very  much  interested  in  their  conversation 
and  sat  down  in  two  rockers  that  were  marked  down  to  $1.98  and  continued  their 
conversation,  oblivious  to  the  fact  that  a  large  crowd  had  been  attracted  by  the  spec- 
tacle. The  police  were  finally  called  on  to  keep  the  crowd  moving  and  when  the 
conversation  finished  the  two  distinguished  divines  went  their  way  with  no  further 
thought  of  the  incident. 

To  Dr.  Newell  Dwight  Hillis,  the  eloquent  successor  of  Mr.  Beecher,  is  due 
the  credit  of  the  Beecher  Memorial,  a  dream  of  Dr.  Hillis'  ever  since  he  came  to 
Brooklyn  nearly  seventeen  years  ago.    It  resulted  in  the  Arbuckle  Institute,  a 


[  266  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.   H.  C.  BROWN. 


iEirat  Entraurt  ta  lljp  ^Jruoklyit  Sxtiigp 


THIS  SHOWS  THE  FIRST  NEW  YORK  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  BROOKLYN 
BRIDGEAS  IT  APPEARED  AT  ITS  OPENING  IN  1884.  FRENCH'S  HOTEL 
IS  SEEN  ON  THE  CORNER  WHERE  THE  WORLD  BUILDING  NOW 
STANDS.  THE  SUN  BUILDING  IS  ABOUT  THE  SAME  TO-DAY,  EXCEPT 
THAT  PERRY  S  DRUG  STORE  THEN  OCCUPIED  PART  OF  THE  STREET 
FLOOR.  BILLY  HITCHCOCK'S  WAS  IN  THE  BASEMENT  NEXT  TO 
FRENCH'S.  AND  CROOK  AND  NASH  HAD  A  RESTAURANT  TWO  DOORS 
BELOW.  THE  ENTRANCE  TO  THE  BRIDGE  DID  NOT  EXTEND  BEYOND 
THE  BUILDING  LINE  OF  THE  EAST  SIDE  OF  PARK  ROW  AND  THE  FARE 
FOR  FOOT  PASSENGERS  WAS  ONE  CENT  THE  BRIDGE  CARS  RAN 
ONLY  ACROSS  THE  BRIDGE  AND  MADE  NO  CONNECTION  AT  EITHER 
END.  AS  THEY  DO  TO  DAY  IT  COST  THREE  CENTS  TO  RIDE  FROM 
ONE  SIDE  TO  THE  OTHER 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    HENRY  MORGENTHAU 


Across  the  River:  Memories  or  Old  Brooklyn 


school  for  the  education  of  young  men  and  women  in  technical  subjects.  The 
buildings  are  the  munificent  gift  of  the  late  John  Arbuckle  and  his  sister,  Catha- 
rine, still  living.  A  fine  monument  to  Beecher,  showing  him  as  he  appeared  on 
the  platform  speaking,  has  been  erected  on  the  grounds  facing  on  Orange  Street. 

One  other  noted  divine  of  these  days  was  Dr.  Richard  Salter  Storrs  of  the 
Church  of  the  Pilgrims,  a  masterly  speaker  and  a  man  of  fine  presence  and  voice 
but  rather  cold  and  reserved  in  manner.  His  oration  at  the  opening  of  the  Brook- 
lyn Bridge  was  a  masterpiece  of  classic  English  and  will  always  hold  an  important 
place  in  the  history  of  the  borough.  Next  to  President  Arthur  he  was  the  most 
noted  man  at  that  event.  President  Arthur  himself  we  can  remember  as  a  man  of 
exquisite  taste.  He  was  knoAvn  to  be  the  "pink  of  perfection"  in  all  matters  per- 
taining to  dress  and  manners — a  gentleman  of  the  first  water.  But  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  opening  of  the  bridge  there  was  consternation  and  amazement  when  the 
President  appeared  in  an  old  "topper"  which  had  lost  its  lustre  and  looked  as  if 
it  had  seen  much  service. 

Many  Brooklj'^nites  can  remember  when  Flatbush  Avenue  from  the  Willink 
entrance  to  Prospect  Park  was  a  beautiful  country  road,  embowered  in  old  and 
stately  trees.  There  were  no  cars  beyond  the  Willink  entrance  at  that  time  but 
on  Sunday  afternoons  the  Nostrand  and  Franklin  Avenue  cars,  the  only  two  lines 
running  so  far  out,  brought  their  thousands  to  the  Park  and  many  of  us  who 
loved  the  more  secluded  roads  would  wend  our  way  leisurely  through  Flatbush 
Avenue  out  as  far  as  Flatlands.  The  old  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  dating  from 
1654  and  the  oldest  on  Long  Island,  and  Erasmus  Academy,  now  entirely  en- 
closed by  the  magnificent  buildings  of  Erasnms  Hall  High  School,  were  the  chief 
landmarks  and  here  and  there  on  either  side  of  the  road  were  the  old  mansions 
of  the  early  Dutch  settlers,  some  of  which  still  remain,  quaint  and  beautiful  as 
ever.  We  did  not  think  then  that  Flatbush  was  so  soon  to  become  the  most  popu- 
lous and  important  suburb  of  Brooklyn,  and  indeed,  as  many  visitors  say,  by  far 
the  most  beautiful  suburb  of  any  city  in  the  United  States.  Perhaps  the  proximity 
of  Prospect  Park  has  something  to  do  with  this. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  young  people  of  Brooklyn  before  the  advent  of  elevated 
roads  and  subways  was  the  custom  of  promenading  through  the  beautiful  and 
shady  paths  of  Greenwood  on  the  Sunday  afternoons.  A  continuous  stream 
passed  through  the  Fifth  Avenue  entrance  and  up  the  hill  toward  the  famous  Char- 
lotte Cauda  monument  and  thence  through  Central  Avenue  to  the  Lake.  It  was 
an  odd  fancy  that  took  young  people  gallanting  through  the  city  of  the  dead  in 
their  best  bib  and  tucker  and  chatting  and  smiling  with  the  lightheartedness  of 
youth,  but  it  was  not  done  either  in  irreverence  or  careless  neglect  of  the  pro- 
prieties. Something  in  the  beauty  and  charm  of  the  winding  paths  and  roadways 
no  doubt  had  much  to  do  with  it,  and  perhaps,  too,  the  want  of  parks  and  the  gen- 
eral barrenness  of  the  streets  made  the  walk  through  the  cemetery  the  only  really 
enjoyable  one  in  the  neighborhood.  Whatever  the  reason,  the  Sunday  afternoon 
crowds  were  a  surety.  Now  all  tliat  is  changed,  the  walks  are  given  over  to  the 
meditative  and  the  young  people  hie  themselves  to  Coney  Island.    There  were 


[  269  J 


Glimpses  or  Old  New  York 


no  street  cars  to  Coney  Island  at  the  time  of  which  we  write  and  none  of  the  pres- 
ent-day attractions  there.  Transportation  was  afforded  by  a  train  consisting 
usually  of  one  car,  which  was  not  always  crowded,  and  Vanderveer's  Hotel  was 
the  great  rendezvous  for  visitors.  This  was  before  the  days  of  Brighton  or  Man- 
hattan Beach  and  when  Dreamland  and  Luna  Park  were  still  afar  off.  As  boys 
we  used  to  go  in  swimming  where  lately  stood  the  famous  Oriental  Hotel,  and 
many  a  struggle  with  the  strenuous  undertow  was  experienced  by  the  youths  who 
adventured  into  these  treacherous  waters.  Since  then  Ocean  Parkway — one  of 
the  finest  driveways  in  the  country — and  Ocean  Avenue  with  its  handsome  homes 
and  many  other  great  highways  have  been  finished  all  the  way  down  to  the  Island. 

Old  frequenters  of  Coney  Island  will  tell  you  how  the  first  site  of  the  Brigh- 
ton Beach  Hotel  and  the  beach  itself  have  long  ago  disappeared  in  the  all-consum- 
ing maw  of  old  ocean.  When  the  hotel  was  first  built  it  stood  several  hundred  yards 
further  out  than  it  does  to-day  and  there  was  a  splendid  beach  stretching  all  along 
the  coast  on  either  side  for  miles.  The  relentless  and  never-ceasing  encroachment 
of  the  sea  first  compelled  the  moving  of  the  hotel  far  inland  and  then  the  building 
of  bulwarks  to  keep  the  remorseless  waters  back,  but  nature  was  not  to  be  balked 
of  her  prey,  and  the  original  site  was  soon  swallowed  up  and  is  now  far  out  and 
fathoms  deep  under  the  sea,  and  the  end  is  not  yet!  It  would  be  interesting  to 
watch  the  struggle  between  natiu'e  and  man  during  the  next  two  or  three  genera- 
tions. At  Manhattan  Beach  Estates  they  have  already  erected  the  first  line  of 
forts  but  it  has  yet  to  be  seen  if  they  can  withstand  the  pounding  of  an  enemy  that 
never  gets  tired. 

It  scarcely  seems  like  twenty-five  years  since  Ocean  Parkway  was  alive  with 
bicycles  rushing  in  pell-mell  speed  to  and  from  Coney  Island.  These  were  the 
days  of  real  sport,  real  excitement;  and  it  looked  sometimes  as  if  the  entire  popu- 
lation of  the  city  with  little  old  New  York  thrown  in  had  only  one  purpose  in  view 
and  that  was  getting  to  Coney  Island  and  getting  there  quick.  The  nights  were 
made  merry  with  the  shouts  and  laughter  of  the  joyous  riders  and  their  lamps  shed 
a  maze  of  light  up  and  down  the  road  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see.  They  came  from 
everywhere  and  came  in  thousands,  for  here  was  the  finest  and  longest  bicycle 
path  that  was  ever  built  and  it  led  to  the  very  edge  of  the  ocean.  And  the  glori- 
ous morning  rides!  How  many  enthusiasts  discovered  the  extraordinary  enjoy- 
ment of  these  morning  rides?  Skimming  over  the  smooth  roadways  of  beautiful 
Prospect  Park,  along  the  edge  of  the  lake  and  past  the  "Wheelmen's  Rest  into  the 
splendid  highway  that  stretched  out  before  you  perfectly  smooth  and  flat — nothing 
could  be  finer.  And  at  the  end  of  the  journey  a  cup  of  coffee  or  a  glass  of  soda  and 
a  biscuit  or  sandwich  in  the  little  wooden  refuge  on  the  sands.  They  can't  do  much 
better  in  these  later  times. 

In  the  other  direction — due  north — I  can  only  remember  one  place  that  at- 
tracted the  Brooklynite  and  he  had  to  share  it  with  the  East  Side  New  Yorker — 
that  was  Bowery  Bay.  It  was  a  long,  long  way  in  these  days  and  the  journey  had 
to  be  taken  in  installments,  first  to  Greenpoint,  then  across  the  creek  in  a  little 
bob-tail  car  to  Long  Island  City,  and  from  there  to  Astoria,  from  which  point  we 


[  270] 


THESE  BUILDINGS  WERE  REMOVED  TO  MAKE  ROOM  FOR  THE  GREAT 
CARPET  HOUSE  OF  W  J  SLOANE,  WHO  MOVED  HERE  WHEN  BROAD- 
WAY BETWEEN  l7iM  AND  23rd  STREETS  WAS  THE  LEADING  RETAIL 
DISTRICT  (1890) 


Ten  Years  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence 


had  to  foot  it;  but  the  latter  part  of  the  journey  was  the  most  pleasant,  as  it  was 
through  beautiful  country  roads  leading  on  to  the  sandy  shores  of  Bowery  Bay. 
This  is  now  North  Beach,  the  great  pleasure  ground  of  that  section  of  Brooklyn 
lying  north  of  Grand  Street. 

The  most  conspicuous  monument  of  Revolutionary  days  in  Brooklyn  is  Fort 
Greene,  now  a  beautiful  little  city  park.  This  fort  was  a  strong  point  in  the  long 
battle  line  extending  from  Gowanus  to  Wallabout  Bay  in  the  famous  battle  of  Long 
Island.  There  has  been  erected  recently  on  this  site  a  very  handsome  column  com- 
memorating the  sailors  and  soldiers  who  perished  during  the  Revolution  in  the 
prison  ships  of  Wallabout  Bay. 

Not  far  south  of  this  historic  spot  is  the  Pratt  Institute,  a  college  of  tech- 
nical education  for  men  and  M^omen  founded  by  Charles  Pratt  in  1884.  The  li- 
brary is  an  exceptionally  fine  one  and  contains  over  100,000  volumes.  The  manual 
and  industrial  training  of  this  institution  is  a  special  feature  and  has  carried  its 
fame  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  Charles  M.  Pratt,  a  son  of  the  founder,  is  presi- 
dent; George  D.  Pratt,  present  Commissioner  for  the  Conservation  of  Public 
Lands,  is  treasurer;  and  Frederick  B.  Pratt,  secretary.  Herbert  Lee  Pratt,  the 
well-known  collector,  is  a  trustee.  In  this  neighborhood  also  is  Adelphi  College, 
which  also  benefited  by  Mr.  Pratt's  munificence  and  is  the  best  beloved  perhaps  of 
any  institution  in  Brooklyn.  It  was  established  in  1869  as  Adelphi  Academy,  but 
is  now  a  college  for  women.  Dr.  S.  Parkes  Cadman,  the  brilliant  pulpit  orator 
and  scholar,  was  the  acting  president  until  recently  when  Dr.  Frank  Dickinson 
Blodgett  was  made  president. 

Almost  opposite  Adelphi  are  two  famous  churches  of  Brooklyn — Enmianuel 
Baptist  and  St.  James'  Episcopal,  both  old  churches  but  comparatively  new  build- 
ings far  famed  for  the  beauty  of  their  structure  and  interior  arrangements.  And 
only  a  very  short  distance  west  is  perhaps  the  most  chaste  and  dignified  ecclesias- 
tical building  in  the  borough — the  chapel  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Cathedral,  Queen 
of  All  Saints.  The  Masonic  Temple  is  on  the  next  corner,  a  new  and  handsome 
addition  in  architecture  to  this  section  of  Brooklyn,  and  the  Church  of  the  Messiah 
in  Greene  Avenue  whose  graceful  spire  is  one  of  the  most  admired  in  this  city  of 
churches. 

WHAT  WAS  GOING  ON  IN  NEW  YORK  TEN  YEARS  AFTER 
THE  DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE 

Perhaps  the  best  remembered  event,  if  not  the  most  momentous  that  hap- 
pened in  our  city  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  seventeen  eighty-six,  was  the  publica- 
tion of  our  first  Directory.  Elsewhere  we  have  described  this  interesting  event  at 
length. 

It  is  from  the  daily  press  of  that  year  that  we  have  selected  such  items  of  cur- 
rent events  as  follows.  By  this  means  we  get  a  very  clear  idea  of  every-day  life  in 
those  times  and  are  able  to  trace  a  gradual  outline  of  the  city  and  its  people  as  they 
were  a  century  and  a  half  ago. 


[  273  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  Np:w  York 


In  the  columns  devoted  to  tlie  prosecution  of  business,  we  find  the  origin  of  the 
vigorous  advertising  of  the  present  day,  and  the  methods  of  our  busy  little  mer- 
chants of  long  ago  clearly  indicate  that  the  enterprise  and  energy  of  the  present 
day  is  nothing  more  than  an  extension  and  development  of  the  spirit  that  has  al- 
ways characterized  the  merchant  of  New  York.  The  fact  that  many  of  these 
early  names  are  easily  recognizable  as  the  same  as  those  borne  by  well-known 
families  of  to-day  is  convincing  evidence  that  the  ability  of  the  forefathers  has 
descended  even  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation.  Space  permits  only  the 
reproduction  of  a  few  names,  but  they  are  representative  of  the  many. 


Isaac  Roosevelt  having  repaired  his  Sugar  House,  is 
now  carrying  on  his  business  of  refining  as  formerly, 
and  has  for  sale  (by  himself  and  Son)  at  his  house 
159  Queen  St.,  opposite  the  Bank,  Loaf,  Lump,  and 
strained  Muscovado  Sugars  and  Sugar  House  Treacle. 
The  New  Emission  Money  will  be  received  in  full  value 
as  payment. 

Jacob  Astoh,  No.  81,  Queen  Street,  two  doors  from  the 
Friends  Meeting  House,  has  just  imported  from  Lon- 
don, An  elegant  assortment  of  Musical  Instruments, 
such  as  piano  fortes,  spinnets,  piano  forte  guittars, 
guittars,  hautboys,  fifes,  the  best  Roman  violin  strings, 
and  all  other  kind  of  strings,  music  books  and  papcr.s, 
and  every  other  article  in  the  nuisical  line,  which  he 
will  dispose  of  on  very  low  terms  for  cash. 
Archibald  Gracje  has  removed  liis  Counting-Room 
from  his  dwelling-house.  No.  110  Broadway,  to  his 
new  Fire  Proof  Store,  No.  52  Pine-street,  where  he  has 
for  sale,  a  few  chests  very  fine  Hyson  and  half  chests 
Souchong  TEA;  a  consignment  of  8  packages  of  MUS- 
LINS, which  will  be  sold  at  a  low  advance;  one  box 
assorted  white  THREADS— GLASS  WARE,  assorted 
in  casks  and  boxes.    Nov.  16. 

Robert  Lenox  has  for  sale,  remaining  from  the  cargo 
of  the  ship  Sansom,  from  Calcutta,  an  assortment  of 
WHITE  PIECE  GOODS:— 
Also, 

50  tierces  Rice, 

15  bales  Sea-Island  Cotton, 

29  tierces  and  34  bis.  Jamaica  CoflFee. 

60  hhds.  Jamaica  Rum. 

10,000  Pieces  White  Nankeens, 

A  quantity  of  Large  Bottles  in  cases. 

And  as  usual,  Old  Madeira  Wiite,  fit  for  immediate 

use. 

Nov.  16. 

Peter  Goelet,  at  the  Golden  Key,  No.  48  Hanover 
Square,  has  imported  in  the  last  vessels  from  London, 
A  very  large  and  general  assortment  of  Ironmongery, 
Cutlery,  Sadlery  and  Hardware;  all  kinds  of  tools  and 
materials  for  clock  and  watch  makers;  gold  and  silver 
smiths;  joiners,  carpenters,  black  and  gun  smiths;  sad- 
lers,  shoemakers,  &c.  Also,  refined  bar  iron,  crowley 
and  blistered  steel,  cart  iron,  griddles,  pots,  kettles, 
cart  and  waggon  boxes,  andirons,  &c.  anvils,  vises, 
shovels,  spades,  frying  pans,  sad  irons,  crucibles,  black 
lead  pots,  nails,  saws,  tongs  and  shovels,  brass  ware, 
candlesticks,  branches,  &c.  a  great  variety  of  brass  fur- 


niture for  cabinet  makers;  also,  stationery,  japaned 
and  copper  ware,  violin  and  guitar  strings,  harpsicord 
wire,  pewter  spoons,  coat,  vest  and  sleeve  buttons, 
leather  and  hair  trunks,  boot  legs  and  vamps,  bend 
leather  soles,  &c  &c.  And  a  consignment  of  playing 
cards. 

GuioN,  Cabtiiy  &  Co.  have  for  sale  at  their  store  38 
Little  Dock  St.  Claret  Wines,  Arrack,  Brandy,  Gin, 
Linseed  Oil  and  Naval  Stores.  Flax-seed  or  any  kind 
of  public  paper  received  in  payment. 
P.  A.  Mesizr,  No.  107  Pearl-street,  at  the  Sign  of 
the  Ledoeb,  has  always  on  hand  a  complete  as.sortment 
of  Merchants  Account-books,  patent  ruled  and  blank, 
manufactured  by  himself,  warranted  equal  to  any  im- 
ported, and  English  Paper  of  the  best  quality  to  make 
books  to  any  pattern,  which  will  be  done  at  the  shortest 
notice. 

Hugh  Gaine  has  imported  from  London,  a  large  selec- 
tion of  books  and  stationery,  to  be  sold  at  his  book  store 
and  printing  oflSce,  in  Hanover  Square. 
Abraham  Brevoort,  No.  26  Queen  Street,  has  received 
from  London  and  Bristol,  a  general  assortment  of  iron- 
mongery and  cutlery. 

James  W.  Depeyster  &  Co.  No.  174  Queen  Street  have 
imported  an  assortment  of  dry  goods,  Holland  sheet- 
ing and  Holland  Geneva  in  cases,  and  a  quantity  of 
best  Holland  Powder  in  quarter  casks. 
Nicholas  Hoffman  &  Son  12  Little  Dock  St.  Have 
for  sale  Bolting  Cloths,  iron-mongery,  ginseng,  gin, 
white  pine  boards  and  plank,  also  an  assortment  of 
Dry  Goods. 

Leonard  Kip  has  an  assortment  of  Dry  Goods  for 
sale  at  his  store  No.  21  Great  Dock  St.  near  the 
corner  of  the  Old  Slip. 

A  person  lately  from  London,  now  stopping  at  27 
Little  Dock  Street  has  a  composition  for  sale  that  will 
destroy  the  very  troublesome  vermin  commonly  called 
Bugs. 

A  variety  of  Mufifs,  Tippets,  and  Fur  trimmings,  among 
which  are  a  few  black  Fox  Muffs  for  gentlemen,  may 
be  had  on  Reasonable  terms  at  No.  89.  in  William  St. 

JUST  PUBLISHED,  AND  FOB  SALE, 
At  the  Book-stores  of  T.  &  J.  Swords,  Nos.  99,  and 

160  Pearl-street, 
LECTURES,  on  DIET  and  REGIMEN:  Being  a  sys- 
tematic inquiry  into  the  most  rational  means  of  pre- 
serving health  and   prolonging   life,   together  with 


[  274  ] 


CORNER  OF  ROSE,  DUANE  AND  WILLIAM  STREETS.  USED  AS  A 
PRISON  BY  THE  BRITISH  DURING  THE  REVOLUTION 

FROM    THt   COLLECTION   OF   MR,  LISPtNARD  STEWART 


Ten  Years  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence 


physiological  and  chemical  explanations,  calculated 
chiefly  for  the  use  of  families,  in  order  to  banish  the 
prevailing  abuses  and  prejudices  in  Medicine.  By  A.  F. 
M.  WiLLicn,  M.  D 

DRUGS,  MEDICINES,  &  GLASS.  Jacob  Schief- 
FELiif,  Druggist,  no.  195  Pearl-street,  late  Lawrence 
^-  Schieffelin,  in  addition  to  the  extensive  stock  of 
Medicines  in  store,  has  just  received  from  Leghorn, 
London,  Amsterdam,  and  Bristol,  the  following  articles, 
which  he  will  sell  low  for  cash  or  credit: 
10  lbs.  oil  of  cloves, 

6  lbs.  anisi, 

2  lbs.  rhodium, 
100  lbs.  amber, 
160  dozen  choice  castor  oil, 
200  lbs.  ess.  bergamot, 
200  lbs.  —  lemon. 

Frederick  Jat,  sales  at  auction,  of  dry  goods  at  No. 
11  Queen  Street. 

Robert  Bowxe,  89  Queen  Street  has  for  sale  Bolting 


cloths,  powder,  nails,  glass  and  dry  goods,  pickled  her- 
rings, pitch  pine  boards,  turpentine  and  a  few  casks  of 
low  priced  cutlery. 

Nicholas  Low  at  116  Wall  Street  has  to  sell,  Looking- 
glasses  from  London,  Carolina  Indigo,  Glass  Ware, 
French  Brandy,  Rum  and  best  James  River  Tobacco. 
Jacor  Le  Roy  &  Sons,  No.  31  Maiden  Lane  have  Lin- 
seed Oil  in  casks,  Russia  Duck,  Teas,  Ironmongery  etc 
for  sale. 

Tor  Savannah,  the  brigantine  Rock-ahock,  Cornelius 
Schermerhorn,  master,  for  freight  apply  to  Peter  Scher- 
inerhorn  No.  73  Water  Street  opposite  the  Crane 
Wharf. 

William  Backhouse  &  Co.  No.  163  Water  Street,  have 
for  sale  Northern  Beaver,  Timber,  Salt,  Coals,  Pine 
and  Needles,  Boots  and  Shoes,  Madeira,  Malaga  and 
Sherry  Wines. 

John  Delafield,  No.  28  Water  Street,  deals  in  all 
sorts  of  Continental  Certificates,  every  kind  of  Se- 
curity belonging  to  different  States  in  the  Union,  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  State  of  New  York. 


Many  of  the  names,  then  prominent  in  trade,  are  better  known  to-day  as 
large  holders  of  real  estate.  And  as  that  business  to-day  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant in  the  island,  it  will  no  doubt  prove  of  much  interest  to  read  some  of  the 
early  transactions  in  this  field  and  not  a  little  interest  will  attach  to  the  prominent 
and  valuable  sites  of  to-day  which  were  then  described  in  terms  we  would  now  use 
only  in  describing  property  far  from  the  madding  crowd. 


To  be  sold  a  house  and  lot  No.  3  situated  in  the  Great 
Square,  on  the  south  side  thereof,  and  adjoining  on 
the  south  side  of  Mr.  Scott's,  the  State  Secretary,  and 
on  the  north  side  by  Mr.  Philip  Livingston's,  the  house 
is  two  stories  high,  lot  25  x  100.  The  situation  is  on 
one  of  the  most  elegant  streets  in  the  city,  and  prom- 
ises to  be,  for  a  short  time,  the  centre  of  the  residence 
of  the  fashionable  world.  The  large  green  in  front 
pleases  the  eye. 

[This  describes  the  present  site  of  the  Washington 
Building,  No.  1  Broadway. — Ed.] 

A  fine  lot  of  ground  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway, 
near  the  old  Lutheran  Church,  is  for  sale.    Enquire  of 
Alexander  Hamilton,  in  Wall  Street,  No.  58. 
Four  or  five  stables  in  Wall  Street  to  let,  opposite  Col. 
William  Livingston's,  with  stalls  for  from  two  to  four 
horses,  rooms  for  carriages,  and  large  lofts  for  hay. 
The  house  No.  2  Wall  Street,  adjoining  the  City  Hall, 
lo  be  let,  suitable  for  a  lawyers  office. 
To  be  let,  the  large  and  commodious  store.  No.  10 
Hanover  Square,  formerly  occupied  by  Mr.  Geradus 
W.  Beekman,  deceased,  and  now  in  the  tenant  of 
Messrs.  Randall,  Son  and  Stewarts,  with  a  large  Brick 
store,  fronting  Slote  Lane.    For  particulars  enquire 
of  Mrs.  Mary  Beekman,  at  the  said  place. 
To  be  sold  a  dwelling  house  234  Queen  street  between 
King  street  and  the  Fly-market  directly  opposite  to 
his  Excellency  the  Governor.    Situation  unequalled  for 
nn  extensive  trade.    Apply  to  White  Matlack,  No.  11 
William  Street. 

Henry  Kennedy  opens  a  genteel  Boarding  &  Lodg- 


ing house  at  the  noted  No.  317  Great  George  Street, 
near  the  Bridewell,  formerly  kept  by  the  Widow  De 
La  Montagne.  The  gentlemen,  members  of  the  Senate 
and  Assembly  will  find  this  house  suitable  for  them  as 
any  in  the  city. 

Samuel  and  Josiah  Blackwell,  offer  for  sale,  the 
well  known  farm  of  Jacob  Blackwell,  deceased,  about 
six  miles  from  New  York,  on  the  East  river,  it  contains 
160  acres  and  25  acres  of  salt  meadow.  [Blackwell's 
Island.— Ed.] 

To  be  sold,  that  large  house  and  lot  of  ground,  occupied 
by  John  Barney,  at  the  sign  of  the  Plough  and  Harrow, 
at  the  head  of  Bowery  Lane,  the  stand  for  a  public 
house  is  equal  to  any  in  the  city.  Enquire  of  Comfort 
and  Joshua  Sands,  No.  60  Queen  St. 
For  sale,  a  farm  on  the  Bloomingdale  road,  near  the 
Glass  House,  for  particulars  enquire  of  Henry  Shute 
near  the  Tea  Water  Pump,  or  William  Hopper  on  the 
premises. 

To  be  let,  the  "Dog  and  Duck"  tavern,  in  the  Bowery 
Lane,  at  the  two  mile  stone;  the  house  has  eight  rooms, 
with  a  large  garden,  and  the  best  bed  of  asparagus 
on  this  island.  Enquire  at  No.  44.  Gold  Street,  opposite 
the  Baptist  Meeting-house. 

To  be  sold,  the  commodious  house  No.  13  Nassau 
Street,  the  corner  of  Crown  Street,  together  with  a 
coach  house,  stables  and  adjoining  lot,  belonging  to 
Misses  Sarah  and  Catharine  Van  Dam.  These  lots 
are  upwards  of  50  feet  in  front  on  Nass.iu.  Stand  110 
in  depth  on  Crown  Street. 

To  be  sold.  Mount  Pitt,  the  place  where  the  subscriber 


[  277  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


now  lives,  situated  near  Corlear's  Hook,  one  mile  from 
the  City  Hall,  containing  a  handsome  dwelling  house, 
out  kitchen  containing  several  rooms,  a  large  stable,  a 
new  carriage  house,  a  complete  ice  house,  There  are 
about  eleven  acres  of  land,  between  three  and  four 
hundred  bearing  fruit  trees,  and  a  handsome  garden. 
The  place  being  so  well  known  needs  no  further  de- 
scription. Also  a  farm  of  ninety  acres  of  Brooklyn, 
L.  I.  For  terms  enquire  of  Morgan  Lewis,  at  59  Mai- 
den Lane. 

TO  BE  SOLD 
At  Public  Vendue,  on  Tuesday  the  7th  day  of  April 
at  2  o'clock  in  the  Afternoon,  on  the  Premisses — To 
be  put  in  Possession  the  first  of  May. 

Four  Lots  and  Houses  of  Lease. 
Church  Ground,  belonging  to  the  late  David  Ross,  of 
the  City  of  New  York,  Carpenter,  deceased;  two  Lots 
joining  on  the  North  Kiver,  each  having  a  good  Dwell- 
ing House,  the  one  being  a  double  House,  having  two 
Cellar  Kitchens,  two  Rooms,  and  two  Bed  Rooms, 
containing  six  Fire  Places:  The  other  joining  to  it, 
is  two  Story  high  having  three  Fire  Places,  a  large 
Room;  Entry,  Shop,  and  Bed  Room,  and  three  Rooms 
above:  The  said  House  has  a  large  Kitchen,  with  a 
good  Oven  and  Cellar.  Both  these  Houses  have  a  fine 
Prospect  of  the  Bay  and  North  River.  The  third 
House  and  Lot  is  fronting  to  the  North  River,  a  little 
to  the  South  East  of  Kings  College,  it  being  two  Story 
high,  having  a  good  Room,  Shop  and  Entry,  and  a 
large  Kitchen  and  good  Oven  upon  the  first  Floor;  two 
Rooms  above  with  Fire  Places,  and  a  good  Stone 
Cellar  under  the  House. 

Any  Person  inclining  to  purchase  any  of  them  liefore 
the  Day  of  Sale,  may  apply  to  John  St}Tnets,  and 
Rachel  Ross,  Administrators,  near  the  College,  who 
will  give  a  good  Title  for  the  same. 
The  Conditions  to  be  known  at  the  Day  of  Sale. 
New  York  March  16,  1767. 


CoBNELius  J.  BooART  of  42  BcekmEii  street  offers  to 
sell  or  exchange  for  a  house  in  town,  that  pleasant 
\'illa  at  Haerlem,  late  the  property  of  John  Bogart 
decea.sed,  about  8  miles  from  the  city,  containing  80 
acres  of  land,  a  young  orchard  of  several  hundred  apple 
trees,  10  acres  of  fresh  and  salt  meadows,  a  garden 
with  good  fruit,  a  good  dwelling  house  and  a  large 
barn.  The  premises  extend  along  the  East  river,  on  the 
tanks  of  which  the  house  stands  commanding  an  agree- 
;ible  pros]>ect  of  the  Sound  and  Long  Island.  Enough 
.sea  weed  and  sedge  is  thrown  upon  the  shore  to  manure 
the  land;  it  abounds  with  a  great  variety  of  fish  and 
wild  fowl  in  their  seasons. 

Aabon  Burr,  corner  of  Nassau  and  Little  Queen 
Streets  offers  for  sale  the  farm  on  Harlem  Heights 
liclunging  to  the  estate  of  the  late  John  Watkins  con- 
taining about  300  acres  of  land,  bounded  by  the  East 
and  North  Rivers,  where  are  plenty  of  fish,  oysters  &c. 
and  is  remarkably  well  watered  by  living  springs,  a 
I'ealthy  location  with  a  beautiful  prospect  and  large 
quantity  of  hay  ground. 

To  be  sold,  that  valuable  plantation,  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  New  York,  whereon  Matthew  Hopper  now 
lives,  containing  about  fifty  acres,  situated  on  the  banks 
of  the  North  River,  adjoining  the  land  of  John  Leake, 
Esq.  There  are  on  the  premises  a  good  stone  dwelling 
house,  a  good  orchard.  The  i)lace  in  point  of  situation 
is  exceeded  by  none  on  the  island. 
The  sale  of  the  remaining  unsold  lots  on  the  estate  of 
the  late  James  De  Lancey,  Esq.  will  be  on  Monday 
the  10th  inst.  at  the  Coffee  Hou.se,  by  the  Commission- 
ers of  Forfeitures. 

Peteh  Stuy\'E8ant  offers  for  rent  that  pleasant  seat 
two  miles  from  New  York  called  Petersfleld,  lately 
occupied  by  Baron  de  PoUnitz,  and  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Robert  B.  Winthrop.  Also  a  small 
house  and  garden,  near  the  house  where  he  lives,  on 
the  Bowery  road. 


But  perhaps  the  most  curious  features  of  hfe  in  Old  Xew  York,  as  it  will  ap- 
pear to  the  modern  reader,  are  these  glimpses  of  slavery  days  which  are  afforded 
by  the  occasional  notices  in  the  press  of  runaway  servants,  etc.  It  requires  quite 
a  stretch  of  imagination  to  conjure  up  a  Roosevelt  advertising  a  pitiable  reward 
of  $2.00  for  the  return  of  a  slave,  or  to  read  other  equally  well  known  names  in 
the  same  connection.  But  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  our  newly  framed  Constitution 
declared  all  men  "free  and  equal,"  it  remains  a  fact  that  slavery  in  Xew  York 
did  not  cease  legally  till  1826 — nearly  half  a  century  later.  It  is  only  fair  to  state, 
however,  that  societies  for  the  manumission  of  slaves  were  in  existence  soon  after 
the  Revolution,  and  that  efforts  both  public  and  private  were  active  in  combating 
this  evil,  and  that  the  system  had  practically  ceased  long  before  it  was  officially 
declared  dead. 


Ten  Dollars  Reward.  Run  away  from  the  subscriber, 
on  Tuesday  last  a  Mulatto  Fellow  named  Jim,  about 
five  feet  nine  inches  high,  of  a  downcast  look,  thick 
lips  and  broad  shouldered,  much  addicted  to  liquor,  and 
whether  drunk  or  sober  very  silent;  had  on  when  he 


went  away,  a  tow  cloth  trowsers  and  shirt,  and  a  blue 
cloth  coat.   Bowery,  July  1,  1786. 

Pethus  Stutvesakt. 

For  Private  Sale,  a  Negro  Wench,  aged  30  years,  a 
compleat  Cook,  understands  all  house  work;  with  her 


[278] 


A  VERY  UNUSUAL  PHOTOGRAPH.  SHOWING  DR  TYNG  S  ORIGINAL 
CHAPEL.  WHICH  AFTERWARDS  DEVELOPED  INTO  THE  "CHECKER- 
BOARD '  CHURCH  THE  NEW  YORK  CENTRAL  STATION  WAS  STILL 
DOWNTOWN.  CORNER  WEST  BROADWAY  AND  CHAMBERS  STREET, 
AND  THE  HARLEM  DEPOT  AT  CENTRE  AND  CHAMBERS  STREET  AN 
OLD  WOOD  BURNING  LOCOMOTIVE  IS  SHOWN  AT  ABOUT  WHERE  THE 
PRESENT  TERMINAL  NOW  IS.  THE  ROCKS  AT  LEFT  ARE  WHERE 
THE  MANHATTAN  HOTEL  NOW  STANDS.  AND  THE  PILE  OF  RUBBISH 
AT  THE  RIGHT  IS  WHERE  THE  42nd  STREET  BUILDING  NOW  IS  THE 
NEW  MUNICIPAL  BUILDING  NOW  OCCUPIES  THE  SITE  OF  THE  OLD 
HARLEM  DEPOT  BY  A  SINGULAR  COINCIDENCE  IT  STILL  RETAINS 
ITS  ORIGINAL  FUNCTION  AS  A  TERMINAL.  THE  NEW  BROOKLYN 
LOOP.  FIVE  PLATFORMS  DEEP  AND  435  FEET  LONG.  BEING  LOCATED 
HERE 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    JOHN    N  GOLDING 


Ten  Years  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence 


daughter,  aged  14  years,  used  to  house  work,  and 
particularly  handy  in  the  care  of  children;  likewise  her 
two  sons,  one  aged  5,  the  other  3  years.  The  above 
slaves  are  sold  for  no  fault.  Apply  to  James  Barclay, 
No.  14  Hanover  Square. 

Isaac  Bhinckerhoff  No.  8  Coenties  Slip,  has  for  sale, 
a  likely  Negro  wench  aged  33  years,  with  her  female 
child,  about  two  years  old,  also  a  smart  Negro  boy, 
twelve  years  of  age. 

To  be  sold  at  the  auction  room  of  James  Barclay,  No. 
14  Hanover  Square,  the  property  of  the  deceased  per- 
son. A  Negro  Wench  aged  32  years  and  her  child 
2  years  old. 

Run  away,  two  indented  German  servant  men,  who 
came  here  last  year,  named  Peter  Sweine  and  Jacob 
Ronk,  neither  of  them  speak  English,  they  were  seen 
near  King's  Bridge,  and  it  is  supposed  intend  for 
Albany.  Eight  dollars  reward  for  each  will  be  paid 
by  Isaac  Roosevelt  or  Thomas  Pearsall. 

A  Negro  Boy  named  Harry,  about  14  years  of  age 
tan  away  from  William  Cammeyer  of  No.  50  Broad 
street. 


Run-away  from  Joseph  Plerson  No.  195  Water  street 
a  Negro  Man  named  James  Hollan,  about  6  feet  6 
inches  high,  and  40  years  of  age,  very  bald.  Took  with 
him  two  suits  of  clothes,  his  common  one  was  deep 
blue,  double  breasted  jacket  and  overalls  of  the  same, 
black  buttons  with  a  white  streak  round  the  edges; 
his  other  suit  a  light  colored  broad  cloth  coat,  blue 
collar  and  cufiFs,  and  plain  metal  buttons,  a  green 
shag  vest,  green  and  yellow  buttons,  black  satinet 
breeches,  brown  home  spun  stockings,  and  a  small  round 
beaver  hat.  Five  Dollars  reward  will  be  paid  for  his 
recovery. 

Ran  away  from  her  place  at  No.  55  William  Street 
a  mulatto  wench  named  Diana,  she  is  good  looking 
about  20  years  old,  middle  sized,  had  on  a  blue  stuff 
short  gown,  a  yellow  calico  peticoat,  spriged,  a  new 
jjair  of  leather  shoes,  and  solid  silver  buckles,  a  black 
silk  bonnet,  and  mixed  colour'd  cloth  great  coat.  She 
took  with  her  a  variety  of  articles  and  may  appear 
in  a  chintz  bedgown  and  a  quilted  stuff  petticoat.  Who- 
ever apprehends  the  said  Wench  shall  have  Two  Dol- 
lars Reward. 


Once  a  place  for  slaves  was  set  apart  in  many  churches  in  this  city.  Now,  only 
one  of  the  old  slave  galleries  remains.  It  is  in  the  Church  of  All  Saints,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Henry  and  Scammel  streets  in  this  city,  the  third  oldest  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  building  in  New  York. 


Augustus  Van  Home,  of  No.  58  Smith  Street,  offers 
a  Half  Joe  reward  for  the  capture  of  his  Negro 
slave.  He  is  a  very  talkative,  saucy,  impertinent  fel- 
low. 

To  be  sold  on  the  12th  inst.  agreeable  to  the  will  of 
Lewis  Morris,  deceased,  at  Morrisania  all  the  Family 


slaves,  most  of  them  are  old,  but  they  have  been  bred 
and  raised  in  the  family,  and  few,  if  any  of  them, 
have  failed  from  their  services  and  attachments,  to 
gain  the  esteem  of  those  they  have  served.  Conditions 
of  sale  will  be  made  known  by  Richard  Morris,  execu- 
tor. 


The  usual  amount  of  domestic  infelicity  seemed  to  prevail  in  those  days  also, 
with  this  difference  perhaps,  that  there  is  a  touch  of  personal  intimacy  in  their  re- 
cital, which  is  lacking  in  our  present  methods  of  procedure.  Nevertheless,  in  point 
of  salacious  detail,  our  present  performances  do  not  suffer  much  by  comparison. 

Benjamin  Jacobs  notifies  the  public  that  his  wife  Elizabeth  has  eloped  from  his  bed  and  board,  and 
that  he  will  pay  no  debts  of  her  contracting. 

Elizabeth,  however,  has  something  to  say — 

Elizabeth  Jacobs,  who  was  advertised  by  her  husband  on  the  5th  inst.,  informs  the  public  that  she  was 
compelled  by  his  cruel  treatment  to  leave  him,  that  no  person  that  knows  him  would  trust  him  with  a  shilling, 
and  is  happy  that  the  law  protects  her  from  paying  his  debts. 

The  anti-race  track  people  were  also  in  existence  as  we  read  a  characteristic 
opinion  regarding  this  "sport  of  Kings"  from  one  of  their  pens. 

O  Yes  I  O  Yes  I — This  is  to  give  notice  to  all  lovers  of  cruelty  and  promoters  of  misery,  that  yesterday 
was  begun  on  the  Maiden  Head  race  ground,  in  the  Bowery,  which  will  continue  for  several  days  to  come, 
the  high  blood  sport  of  Horse  Racing.  This  cannot  but  give  delight  to  every  breast  thoroughly  divested  of 
humanity — music,  curses,  and  imprecations,  will  resound  from  tent  to  tent,  by  both  male  and  female,  so  that 
this  pastime  must  be  greatly  approved  of  by  such  as  have  no  reverence  for  the  Deity,  nor  feeling  for  his 
creatures. 


[281] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


The  members  of  Congress,  foreign  ministers,  and  others  drawn  here  by  this  city's  being  the  seat  of 
empire,  create  an  extraordinary  expenditure.  It  is  said  of  not  less  than  One  Thousand  Spanish  Milled  Dollars 
Per  Day — equal  to  about  the  same  as  the  present  day  dollars. 

The  Spanish  Minister,  we  are  glad  to  note  even  at  a  fire,  is  able  to  recognize 
the  sheej)  from  the  goats  socially,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  read  that  none  of  his  neigh- 
bors pinched  anything  on  that  exciting  occasion. 

Don  Diego  de  Gardoqui,  the  Spanish  Minister,  returns  thanks  to  the  citizens  for  their  alacrity,  in  ex- 
tinguishing the  fire  that  happened  at  his  house.  He  observed  many  persons  of  the  first  distinction,  actively 
employed,  and  although  his  doors  were  open  to  all,  and  the  house  filled  with  j)eople,  none  of  his  eflfects  were 
missing,  everything  carried  out  of  the  house  having  l)ccn  restored. 

The  beginnings  of  an  important  element  in  New  York  are  shown  in  the  adver- 
tisement of  some  German  Redemptioners,  just  landed,  and  the  people  who  have 
goats  are  warned  to  keep  them  out  of  the  Fort  garden. 

A  Few  German  Redemptioners  are  landed  from  the  Ship  Union,  Capt.  Hazard  from  Hamburgh,  and 
are  for  sale  on  reasonable  terms,  one  miU-wright,  one  weaver,  one  baker,  several  women  suitable  for  house 
servants  and  maids,  with  some  few  boys  and  girls.  The  terms  of  sale  and  time  of  servitude  may  be  known  by 
applying  to  Murray,  Mumford  &  Brown. 

Those  persons  who  have  Goats,  that  keep  about  the  Fort  Garden,  are  desired  to  take  notice,  that  unless 
they  are  taken  care  of,  and  prevented  from  destroying  the  fruit  trees,  disagrceal)le  consequences  will  attend 
them. 

Evidently  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  had  just  been  organized  as  we  find  their 
advertisement  informing  the  members  that  their  diplomas  "are  now  ready." 

Members  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.,  are  informed  that  their  Diplomas  are 
ready  for  delivery  at  No.  27  Water  Street. 

Our  heart  goes  out  in  special  sympathy  to  Col.  William  Smith,  who  has  just 
moved  to  town  from  Red  JNIill,  Dutchess  Co.  He  finds  so  many  other  Bill  Smiths 
here  even  at  that  earlj'  date  that  he  has  added  the  letter  between  his  first  and 
last  name  to  distinguish  him,  presumably,  from  the  common  herd  of  Bills.  He 
ought  to  look  at  the  telephone  book  to-day. 

Col.  William  Smith,  late  of  Red  Mill,  Dutchess  Co.,  informs  his  friends  and  the  public  that  having  moved 
into  New  York,  and  finding  so  many  of  his  name,  to  distinguish  himself  from  them,  has  added  between  his 
name  the  letter  M. 

The  Gentleman  who  took  by  mistake,  a  new  light  colour'd  drab  great  coat  with  pinchbeck  buttons,  large  cape 
of  the  same  Cloth  and  flash  pockets,  from  the  Assembly  room,  is  desired  to  return  it  to  the  Printer — as  the 
owner  finds  himself  much  incommoded  by  the  severitj'  of  the  weather. 

THE  POST  OFFICE,  ETC.,  1816 

The  Post-OflSce  at  this  date  was  at  the  corner  of  Garden  (Exchange  Place)  and  William  streets,  on 
the  first  floor  of  a  three-story  house,  in  a  single  room  forty  feet  in  length,  above  which  resided  the  Post- 
master, Theodorus  Bailey.  The  entire  Southern  Mail,  enclosed  in  two  bags,  was  transported  from  Paulus 
Hook  (Jersey  City)  in  a  row-boat.  One  of  the  basement  rooms  of  the  City  Hall,  a  house  in  Eldridge  Street, 
and  one  in  Christopher  Street,  were  occupied  by  the  city  watchmen,  a  small  band  of  Argus-eyed  guardians  of 
the  peace,  who  were  mustered  at  6.30  p.  m.  in  the  winter  and  9  in  summer,  and  left  for  their  homes  soon 
after  daylight.  For  day  service  there  were  a  High  Constable  (Jacob  Hays)  and  but  twelve  police  officers. — 
Has  WELL, 

Apropos  of  the  fact  that  most  New  Yorkers  come  from  somewhere  else  a  loyal  editor  in  a  Florida  paper 

says: 

Every  man  sheuld  love  his  native  land,  whether  he  was  born  there  or  not. 


[  282  ] 


ON  THE  SITE  OF  THE  RESIDENCE  OF  MR  PETER  DELANCEY  ON 
BROADWAY.  ABOVE  TRINITY  CHURCH.  WAS  ERECTED  THE  FIRST 
REGULAR  HOTEL  IN  OUR  CITY,  IT  WAS  AN  IMPOSING  STRUCTURE 
FOR  SO  YOUNG  A  METROPOLIS.  AND  FOR  A  LONG  TIME  WAS  THE 
LARGEST  AND  MOST  CONSPICUOUS  BUILDING  IN  NEW  YORK.  IT 
IS  A  NOTED  FEATURE  IN  ST.  MEMIN  S  PANTOGRAPH  (PUBLISHED  IN 
PARIS,  1798).  WHICH  WAS  THE  FIRST  SKY  LINE  VIEW  OF  NEW 
YORK  A  REFERENCE  TO  THE  QUAINT  OLD  LITHOGRAPH  ABOVE 
SHOWS  THAT  IT  WAS  JUSTLY  ENTITLED  TO  THE  FAME  WHICH  IT 
ACHIEVED.  BOTH  AS  A  BUILDING  AND  AS  A  HOTEL  OF  THE  VERY 
FIRST  RANK  PRIOR  TO  THIS  TIME  TAVERNS  AND  PRIVATE  HOUSES 
WERE  THE  ONLY  PLACES  TO  WHICH  A  TRAVELLER  MIGHT  REPAIR 
FOR  SHELTER.  AND  THE  CITY  HOTEL  WAS  A  VAST  IMPROVEMENT 
AFTER  A  LONG  CAREER  OF  UNUSUAL  PROSPERITY,  DURING  WHICH 
TIME  IT  WAS  THE  SCENE  OF  THE  FAMOUS  BACHELORS'  BALL," 
THE  ONE  GREAT  SOCIETY  EVENT  OF  THE  SEASON,  AND  ENTER- 
TAINED NEARLY  ALL  THE  DISTINGUISHED  VISITORS  TO  NEW  YORK. 
OFFICIALLY  AND  SOCIALLY.  IT  WAS  TURNED  INTO  AN  OFFICE 
BUILDING,  THE  PARK  VIEW  HOTEL.  OR  ASTOR  HOUSE.  MUCH 
FURTHER  UPTOWN,  1835.  SUCCEEDING  TO  ITS  PATRONAGE  AND 
PRESTIGE  THE  WELL  REM  E  M  BERED  BOREEL  BUILDING  SUCCEEDED 
THE  OFFICE  BUILDING  NOW  THE  SITE  OF  THE  MAGNIFICENT 
TWIN  OFFICE  BUILDINGS.  TRINITY  (No  111)  AND  UNITED  STATES 
REALTY  (No,  I  15). 

FBOM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR.  J.  C  BREVOORT. 


CHAPTER  VIII 


ADVERTISING  AS  A  FINE  ART 
WASHINGTON  IRVING  AS  A  COPY  WRITER 

Within  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  the  business  or  perhaps,  more  correctly 
speaking,  the  profession  of  advertising  has  assumed  a  dignity  and  an  importance 
that  must  cause  the  bones  of  Volney  B.  Palmer  and  George  P.  Rowell  to  turn 
over  with  amazement.  In  volume  it  now  runs  into  stupendous  figures  and  its  worth 
as  an  aid  to  business  is  now  universally  conceded. 

Looking  over  old  files,  it  is  interesting  to  note  the  skilful  use  that  was  made  of 
it  by  Benjamin  Franklin  in  his  "Poor  Richard's  Almanac"  and  especially  by 
Washington  Irving  to  announce  his  now  famous  "Knickerbocker's  History  of  New 
York." 

These  two  eminent  personages,  however,  are  not  the  only  names  familiar  to 
the  business  world  of  to-day,  whose  intimate  knowledge  of  how  to  construct  an  ad- 
vertisement has  proved  of  great  value  to  their  various  enterprises. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Ladies'  Home  Journal,  INIr.  Cyrus  Curtis  himself  had 
an  active  part  in  the  actual  writing  of  the  advertisements ;  at  a  later  date  INIr,  Ed- 
ward Bok,  who  joined  him,  made  this  subject  his  special  study.  The  word 
"Uneeda"  as  applied  to  biscuits  was  invented  by  President  Green  of  the  great 
National  Biscuit  Company. 

The  list  of  men  now  high  up  in  the  business  world,  like  Herbert  S.  Hous- 
ton, President  World's  Advertising  Association;  George  H.  Hazen  of  tlie  W Oman's 
Home  Companion,  Frank  Presbrey,  George  H.  Batten,  J.  Walter  Thompson, 
Harry  Porter,  Francis  A.  Wilson,  Foley  of  Philadelphia,  Oscar  J.  Gude,  H.  L. 


[  285  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Blackman,  George  S.  Scarborough,  H.  K.  INIcCann,  Armstrong,  Dyer,  Gillam, 
Powers,  are  only  a  few  of  the  names  that  occur  to  me  now,  who  are  past  masters 
in  preparing  the  hterature  that  allures  the  elusive  coin  from  an  unsuspecting 
public. 

But  to  return  to  Irving.  His  book  was  about  to  issue  from  the  press  and  he 
conceived  the  idea  of  printing  a  number  of  letters  designed  to  excite  curiosity  re- 
garding Diedrich  Knickerbocker.  These  appeared  in  the  Kvcnhuj  Post,  at  weekly 
intervals  prior  to  the  appearance  of  his  book  and  a  glance  at  the  collection  will 
readily  prove  that  our  amiable  friend  was  vastly  superior  to  the  many  so-called  ex- 
perts in  this  field  to-day.  We  print  these  letters  in  the  succession  in  which  they 
appeared,  and  our  readers,  we  think,  will  agree  with  us  that  they  are  well  worth 
a  place  among  the  beginnings  of  American  literature.  As  will  be  seen,  they  were 
excellently  adapted  to  arouse  interest  and  sympathy  regarding  the  fate  of  old 
Diedrich  and  readily  excited  considerable  curiosity  regarding  the  book  which  he 
was  supposed  to  have  left  with  the  irascible  Innkeeper.  The  result  amply  justi- 
fied Irving's  expectations,  as  all  New  York  was  agog  to  see  what  sort  of  a  "very 
curious  kind  of  a  book"  he  had  written. 

DISTRESSING 

Left  his  lodgings  some  time  since,  and  has  not  since  been  heard  of,  a  small  elderly  gentleman,  dressed 
in  an  old  black  coat  and  cocked  hat,  by  the  name  of  Knickerbocker.  As  there  are  some  reasons  for  believing 
lie  is  not  entirely  in  his  right  mind,  and  as  great  anxiey  is  entertained  al)out  him,  any  information  concerning 
him  left  either  at  the  Columbian  Hotel,  Mulberry  Street,  or  at  (he  office  of  this  paper,  will  be  thankfully 
received. 

From  the  same,  yovember  6,  1809. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Evening  Post: 

Sib, — Having  read  in  your  paper  of  the  26th  October  last,  a  paragraph  respecting  an  old  gentleman  by 
the  name  of  Knickerbocker,  who  was  missing  from  his  lodgings;  if  it  would  be  any  relief  to  his  friends,  or  fur- 
nish them  with  any  clew  to  discover  where  he  is,  you  may  inform  them  that  a  person  answering  the  descrip- 
tion given,  was  seen  by  the  passengers  of  the  Albany  stage,  early  in  the  morning,  about  four  or  five  weeks  since, 
resting  himself  by  the  side  of  the  road,  a  little  above  King's  Bridge.  He  had  in  his  hand  a  small  bundle  tied 
in  a  red  bandanna  handkerchief:  he  appeared  to  be  travelling  northward,  and  was  very  much  fatigued  and 
exhausted.  A  TRAVELLER. 

From  the  same,  November  16,  1809. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  Evening  Post: 

Sir, — You  have  been  good  enough  to  publish  in  your  paper  a  paragraph  about  Mr.  Diedrich  Knicker- 
bocker, who  was  missing  so  strangely  some  time  since.  Nothing  satisfactory^  has  been  heard  of  the  old  gentle- 
man since.;  but  a  very  curious  kind  of  a  written  book  has  been  found  in  his  room,  in  his  own  handwriting. 
Now  I  wish  you  to  notice  him,  if  he  is  still  alive,  that  if  he  does  not  return  and  pay  off  his  bill  for  boarding 
and  lodging,  I  shall  have  to  dispose  of  his  book  to  satisfy  me  for  the  same. 

I  am.  Sir,  your  humble  servant, 

SETH  HANDASIDE, 
Landlord  of  the  Independent  Columbian  Hotel,  Mulberry  Street. 

From  the  same,  November  28,  1809. 

Literary  Notice 

Inskeep  &  Bradford  have  in  the  press,  and  will  shortly  publish, 

A  History  of  New  York 

In  two  volumes,  duodecimo.    Price  three  dollars. 
Containing  an  account  of  its  discovery  and  settlement,  with  its  internal  policies,  manners,  customs,  wars, 
etc.,  etc.,  under  the  Dutch  government,  furnishing  many  curious  and  interesting  particulars  never  before  pub- 
lished, and  which  are  gathered  from  various  manuscript  and  other  authenticated  sources,  the  whole  being 
interspersed  with  philosophical  speculations  and  moral  precepts. 


[  286  ] 


THIS  WAS  ONE  OFTHE  MOSTFAMOUS  EARLY  THEATRES  IN  NEWYORK 
ANDTHESECONDONETO  ATTAIN  ANY  PROMINENCE  "UNCLE  TOM  S 
CABIN"  WAS  PRODUCED  HERE  FOR  THE  FIRST  TIME  IN  ANY  THEATRE. 
WITH  GEORGE  L  FOX  AND  THE  LINGARDS  IN  THE  CAST 
THE  "J.  W.  WALLACK.  LESSEE."  WAS  THE  FATHER  OF  OUR  LESTER 
WALLACK.  THE  THEATRE  STOOD  AT  THE  CORNER  OF  LEONARD  AND 
CHURCH  STREETS  AND  WAS  BURNED.  IT  THEN  RELOCATED  WHERE 
COWPERTHWAIT  S  NOW  IS  AND  WAS  CONVENIENT  TO  THE  THEN 
FASHIONABLE  REGION  OF  PEARL.  CATHARINE.  MARION.  DOVER  AND 
PELL  STREETS. 

FROM  THE  COLLECTION   OF   MR    WM    F.  HAVEMEYER. 


A  Glimpse  of  the  Fashions  in  1800 


This  work  was  found  in  the  chamber  of  Mr.  Diedrich  Knickerbocker,  the  old  gentleman,  whose  sudden 
and  mysterious  disappearance  has  been  noticed.  It  is  published  in  order  to  discharge  certain  debts  he  has 
left  behind. 

Finally  appears  this  notice : 

From  the  American  Citizen,  December  6,  1809. 

Is  this  day  published 
By  Inskeep  &  Bradford,  No.  128  Broadway 

A  History  of  New  York 

etc.,  etc., 
(Containing  same  as  above.) 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  THE  FASHIONS  IN  1800 

We  now  come  to  a  period  when  the  new  country  may  be  said  to  have  been 
fairly  started  and  our  grandmothers  were  setting  their  own  fashions.  From  the 
clever  descriptions  herewith  given  there  will  be  but  little  difficulty  in  forming  an 
adequate  idea  of  how  our  grandmothers  looked  in  the  fetching  costumes  of  that  day. 
Times  have  changed,  however,  and  the  athletic  girl  of  to-day  is  much  more  popular 
than  the  frail,  fainting  sister  of  those  times;  and  the  present  popularity  of  leather 
boots  includes  "genteel"  society  as  well  as  the  "commoner"  classes. 

Bird-of-Paradise  yellow  is  a  favorite  color  for  satin  gowns  k  I'Erapire, 

The  colors  most  in  estimation  are  ponceau  rose,  cachou-nut  brown,  American  green,  willow-green,  and 
ethereal  blue. 

Now  that  1800  is  an  accomplished  fact,  the  mania  for  classic  attire  has  completely  metamorphosed  femi- 
nine costume.  The  waist  is  now  a  lost  quantity,  for  the  gown  is  drawn  in  but  slightly  under  the  arras,  like  an 
infant's  robe,  and  thence  the  skirt  falls  quite  straight,  trailing  on  the  floor  at  the  back  from  a  double  pleat  that 
falls  from  a  low,  open  neck,  the  edges  occasionally  draped  with  a  silk  kerchief,  or  finished  with  a  high-standing 
lace  ruff. 

Long  plumes,  or  short  full  feathers  in  evening  dress  are  oftener  seen  on  the  hair  than  either  cornettes  or 
turbans,  and  so  much  is  this  style  of  headdress  favored  that  several  distinguished  ladies  wear  it  at  the 
opera  in  preference  to  the  opera-hat,  though  that  handsome  becoming  adjunct  for  the  hair  is  by  no  means 
moribund.  The  few  turbans  that  are  worn  are  rather  devoid  of  plumage,  but  instead  they  are  richly  embellished 
with  lace  and  gold  or  silver  ornaments. 

The  Kutusofif  mantle  and  bonnet  are,  of  course,  named  after  the  great  Russian  general  of  whom  we  are 
now  hearing  so  much. 

Parasols  are  made  on  the  same  principle  as  the  "surprise  fans"  lately  invented — t.  e.,  with  a  joint  which 
makes  them  appear  to  be  broken.  A  sliding  cylinder-like  fixture  holds  the  joint  firmly  in  place  when  the 
parasol  is  raised. 

Except  in  morning  dress,  ladies  invariably  carry  their  reticules  (vulgarly  called  "ridicules")  with  them. 
A  reticule  contains  the  handkerchief,  fan,  card,  money  and  essence-bottle.  They  are  made  of  figured  sar- 
cenet, plain  satin,  velvet,  or  silver  tissue  with  strings  and  tassels  to  match.  It  is  necessary  that  they  be  of 
the  same  color  as  the  wrap  or  pelisse. 

Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  winter  season,  morning  dresses  continue  to  be  made  in  white  muslin, 
which  is  more  fashionable  than  anything  else.  The  dress  of  women  should  differ  in  every  regard  from  that  of 
men.  This  diflference  ought  to  extend  to  the  selection  of  stuflFs;  for  a  woman  habited  in  cloth  is  far  less  femi- 
nine than  when  attired  in  soft  delicate  muslin  or  light  lustrous  silk. 

By  way  of  new  ornament,  dressmakers  are  frequently  making  use  of  very  small  pieces  of  gold,  silver, 
or  steel,  cut  exceedingly  thin,  and  with  a  tiny  hole  in  the  middle.  They  are  generally  of  circular  shape,  and 
they  often  deck  an  entire  evening  gown.    They  are  called  "spangles." 

Double  soles,  though  introduced,  are  quite  the  exception,  and  as  for  leather  footwear,  no  lady  of  condition 
would  dream  of  putting  on  anything  so  coarse.  They  are  quite  Gothic,  and  appropriate  to  none  but  the  lower 
orders. 

The  conversation  bonnet  is  a  nicely  modified  coal-scuttle  shape  that  is  greatly  favored.    The  most  fash- 


[  289  ] 


Glimpses  oi"  Old  New  York 


ionablc  styles  in  straw  arc  the  conversation  cottage  models,  which  arc  distinguished  for  their  negligent  neatness. 
At  the  back  the  hair  is  cropped  or  tightly  braided,  and  has  somewhat  dishevelled  curls  in  front.  Necklace  and 
earrings  are  of  Mocha-stones  linked  with  burnished  gold. 

Muslin  dresses  are  worn  unlincd,  and  skirts  are  short  enough  to  display  the  ankle  through  them.  Flow- 
ers and  loops  of  ribl)on  are  worn  over  the  left  side  of  the  coiffure  and  face,  so  jjlaced  as  to  almost  conceal  the 
left  eye.  Fugitive  coats  made  of  exile  clotli  are  worn  this  season,  and  their  name  is  a  tribute  paid  l)y  fashion 
to  the  sufferings  of  the  exiled  house  of  Hraganza. 

York  and  Limerick  gloves  are  both  less  expensive  and  much  more  easy  to  procure  in  these  times  than 
fine  French  kid,  but  they  are  not  so  pretty.  English  kid  gloves  are  rough,  undressed-looking  things,  with  no 
particular  fit  about  them — something  like  coarse  peau  de  Suede,  and  many  a  time  those  who  perforce  wear  them, 
must  sigh  for  the  peau  glad,  which  can  only  be  had  from  abroad. 

The  fashion  of  tight  lacing  has  revived  with  a  degree  of  fury — prevailing  universally  to  an  extent  of 
which  people  of  former  days  could  form  no  conception,  and  which  posterity  will  not  credit.  Stays  are  now 
composed,  not  of  pliable  whalebone  or  leather,  but  of  bands  of  steel  and  iron  from  two  to  four  inches  broad, 
and  many  of  them  not  less  than  eighteen  inches  in  Ungth. 

A  very  fashionable  article  of  jewelry  is  a  gold  neckchain  and  heart,  with  a  patent  spring,  which,  when 
pressed,  opens  and  reveals  the  eye  of  friend,  relative,  or  lover,  beautifully  executed  on  ivory,  and  finished  with 
an  enamelled  border. 

Bonnets  are  of  a  becoming  shape  and  size — many  of  black  or  violet  velvet,  though  those  of  white  or 
tinted  satin  are  rather  more  in  favor  with  the  higher  classes.  A  drapery  of  black  net  is  often  added  to  the 
edge  of  these  bonnets.  Bonnets  are  worn  rather  more  forward  than  they  have  been  for  some  time  past. 
Hats  of  black  satin  are  ornamented  with  large  rosettes  of  pink  or  yellow  velvet  or  sarcenet.  We  see  in 
carriages  hats  of  dark-green  velvet,  with  white  plumes  and  veil  of  white  net. 

Since  the  "Hundred  Days"  succeeding  the  return  of  Napoleon  from  Elba,  violets  have  become  the  rage. 
They  are  regarded  as  a  political  emblem.  No  imperialist  lady  appears  in  public  without  a  large  bunch  of  vio- 
lets on  her  breast.  Morning-caps  are  trimmed  with  violets  and  immortelles,  set  side  by  side,  and  many  lapi- 
daries manufacture  ornaments  of  the  same  design. 

On  the  other  hand,  royalist  ladies  wear  muslin  or  Jaconet  gowns,  with  eighteen  tucks  on  the  skirt,  in 
honor  of  Louis  XVHL,  and  bonnets  of  white  silk  striped  with  lacy  straw,  a  square  cashmere  shawl  with  a 
vermilion  border,  and  dark-blue  kid  shoes. 

The  art  of  dressing  woman's  hair  is  nearly  allied  to  genius,  and,  in  order  to  exercise  it  nobly,  one 
should  be  a  poet,  a  painter,  or  a  sculptor.  It  is  necessary  to  understand  shades  of  color,  chiaroscuro,  and  the 
proper  distribution  of  shadows,  so  as  to  confer  animation  on  the  complexion  and  render  other  native  charms 
more  expressive.  The  fine  art  of  dressing  a  prude,  and  of  letting  pretensions  be  apparent,  yet  without  frankly 
thrusting  them  forward;  that,  also,  of  pointing  out  a  coquette,  and  of  making  a  mother  look  like  her  child's 
eldest  sister;  of  adapting  the  style  of  coiffure  to  the  taste  and  disposition  of  the  individual — in  fine,  the  art 
of  asserting  caprices,  or  of  occasionally  controlling  them,  requires  a  more  than  common  share  of  intellect,  and 
a  tact  with  which  one  must  be  born. 

Girard's  masterpiece  of  Psyche  has  brought  pallor  into  fashion.  It  is  so  much  the  rage  to  look  ethereal 
and  delicate  that  a  pot  of  rouge  can  now  be  purchased  for  half  a  crown,  and  lotions,  instead,  are  used  to 
promote  the  interesting  shade  of  the  lily,  which  has  of  late  sul)dued  the  rose.  Poudre  de  riz  is  universally  se- 
lected, and  all  fashionable  women  in  these  days  of  the  Empire  endeavor  to  render  themselves  still  more 
interesting  by  making  up  their  lovely  faces  a  la  Psyche. 

A  wreath  of  roses  or  riband  rosettes  are  worn  by  young  girls  in  half  dress,  while  satin  or  silk  mousseline 
hats  are  favored  for  the  evening  toilet.  These  are  placed  very  backward,  and  the  brims  are  round  and  made 
to  discover  the  face.  Spanish  berets  embroidered  in  gold  or  silver,  with  gold  cordons  and  acorn  tassels  depend- 
ing, are  much  admired,  though  becoming  to  but  few  faces.  The  genuine  beret  or  cardinal's  cap  is  like  a  plate 
turned  upside  down,  and  such  a  flat,  skimming-dish  style  requires  to  be  placed  much  on  one  side,  to  have  beauti- 
ful luxuriant  hair  on  the  other,  and  a  very  pretty  face  underneath. 

Physicians  and  doctors  of  divinity  have  declared  that  the  scanty  clothing  prescribed  by  fashion  is  in- 
delicate as  well  as  unhealthful,  but  do  they  not  speak  to  deaf  ears?  What  doctor,  be  he  D.  D.  or  M.  D.,  could 
outweigh  a  fashion-book?  The  arbiters  of  taste  never  seem  to  care  to  invent  anything  to  protect  women  from 
cold  and  damp,  and  even  when  common  sense  forces  one  to  put  on  heavy,  warm  clothing,  its  wearer  is  deemed 
either  insane  or  a  hopeless  invalid. 

The  general  mildness  of  March  has  banished  from  the  promenade  those  weighty,  gross,  furry  decorations 
which  so  recently  were  noticed,  and  which  for  some  reason  were  continued  through  one  of  the  mildest  winters 
ever  experienced  in  our  atmosphere — as  though  our  fashionable  beauties  were  shivering  under  the  chilling  in- 
fluence of  Siberian  skies. 

At  a  party  at  the  Hotel  Thelusson  great  admiration  was  excited  by  a  lady  whose  tresses  were  dressed 
in  Greek  style — a  band  of  exquisite  cameos,  representing  Roman  emperors,  encircling  her  beautiful  head.  Her 


[  290] 


COPYRIGHT,  1913    H    C  BROWN 

QHfp  Ifamaua  lirrlj  lim  of  Nfui  ^orh.  1803:  i'trmtb  i'tatr 


SECOND  STATE  OF  THE  BIRCH  VIEW.  SHOWING  THE  PIC  NIC  PARTY 
IN  PLACE  OF  THE  WHITE  HORSE 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR.  PERCY    R    PYNE  2N0 


The  First  Directory  of  New  York 


gown,  with  waist  seven  inches  long,  and  short  sleeves,  was  made  of  palest  blue  tulle,  embroidered  with  cut-steel 
beads. 

Not  only  did  Mme.  Tallien  create  a  furore  of  admiration  at  the  fancy  ball  in  an  Athenian  gown,  wear- 
ing two  circlets  of  gold  as  garters,  which  glimmered  through  the  filmy  folds  of  her  white  and  gold  crfipe  frock, 
and  with  jewelled  strappings  on  her  bare  and  sandalled  feet,  but  there  were  other  heroines  of  La  Mode — if  I 
may  so  express  myself — who  were  attired  d  la  Sauvage,  or  who  threw  sang  de  boeuf  scarves  over  their  shoul- 
ders, squeezed  their  waists  into  steel  stays  d  la  humanity,  and  wore  on  their  heads  either  a  hat  d  la  Justice  or 
a  cap  d  la  folie. 

ECHOES  OF  THE  REVOLUTION 

It  was  a  long  time  before  the  bitterness  engendered  by  the  struggle  for  liberty 
was  assuaged  in  New  York.  This  was  particularly  true  of  the  theatrical  profes- 
sion, where  alleged  indiscreet  utterances  by  foreign  artists  frequently  led  to  riots. 
The  old  Park  Theatre  in  Park  Row  was  the  scene  of  several  serious  outbreaks  on 
this  account  and  the  great  Forrest-Macready  riot  was  not  wholly  without  this  bias. 
The  following  item  shows  the  feeling  that  existed  in  the  years  directly  following 
the  signing  of  peace. 

If  there  are  Englishmen  whose  attachment  to  the  laws  of  Bacchus,  obliges  them  to  make  frequent  meet- 
ings over  old  London  porter,  and  Madeira,  they  should  always  carry  with  them  the  reflection  that  in  a  repub- 
lican government,  there  are  songs  which  may  please  their  palates,  and  be  grating  to  the  ears  of  freemen.  A 
company  lately  spending  the  evening  in  one  of  the  upper  rooms  at  the  Coffee  House;  in  the  height  of  their 
mirth  and  loyalty,  broke  out  with  "Rule  Britannia"  a  song  very  ridiculous  in  a  country  like  this,  where  their 
armies  were  conquered,  and  their  nation  defeated.  Whenever  it  may  again  please  them  to  sing  the  same  ditty, 
they  had  better  alter  the  chorus,  and  instead  of  bawling 

Rule  Britannia,  Britannia  rules  the  waves, 
Britons  never  will  be  slaves. 

To  sing  it  thus 

Poor  Britannia,  Britannia  waves  the  rules; 
Britons  ever  will  be  fools!! 


ORIGIN  OF  HOW  OLD  WAS  ANN  (1789) 
We  hear  that  to-morrow  afternoon  near  Bayard's  house,  in  the  Bowery  a  curious  wager  will  be  deter- 
mined, whether  a  man  in  forty-five  minutes,  can  collect  and  deposit  in  a  basket,  one  hundred  eggs  laid  in  a 
right  line,  at  the  distance  of  one  yard  from  each  other;  so  that  he  goes  for  the  first  egg  200  yards,  for  the 
second  egg  198,  and  in  the  same  proportion  for  the  rest;  the  whole  distance  for  gathering  the  eggs,  being 
five  miles  and  1300  yards.  As  the  country  adjacent  is  beautiful  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  the  distance  from 
town  only  a  pleasant  walk,  much  company  is  expected  on  the  occasion. 

AN  OLD  STORY 

Take  Care  of  Your  Pockets — This  forenoon,  while  a  gentleman  from  the  country  was  standing  in  the 
crowd  at  an  auction  the  pocket  of  his  undercoat  was  cut  open,  and  his  pocket-book  stolen,  containing  about  700 
dollars.    When  it  was  discovered  the  thief  had  made  off.    {Evening  Post,  Jan.  11,  1816.) 

THE  FIRST  DIRECTORY  OF  NEW  YORK,  1786 

To  the  casual  observer  this  insignificant  volume,  containing  less  than  800 
names,  does  not  reveal  the  latent  possibilities  of  interest  which  its  pages  contain. 
Here  we  have  the  first  tangible  evidence  that  New  York  had  outgrown  its  village 
days  and  had  realized  its  coming  importance.  On  the  South,  its  more  opulent  and 
aristocratic  neighbor,  Philadelphia,  had  a  year  before  compiled  a  list  of  its  families 
and  merchants. 


[  293  ] 


GiJMPSEs  OF  Old  New  Yoek 


Between  December  9,  1785,  and  the  11th  of  February,  178G,  appeared  the  fol- 
lowing naive  announcements  of  the  contemplated  publication  of  the  Directory. 

January  2d. 
Will  be  put  to  press  in  a  few  Days, 
And  published  with  expedition, 
The  New  York  Directory, 
Containing, 

1.  The  names  of  all  the  citizens,  their  occupations  and  places  of  abode,  in  an  alphabetical  order. 

2.  The  members  in  Congress,  from  what  state,  and  where  residing. 

3.  Grand  departments  of  the  United  States  for  adjusting  pul)lic  accounts,  and  by  whom  conducted. 

4.  Judges,  aldermen,  and  other  civil  officers,  wilh  their  places  of  abode. 

5.  Members  in  senate  and  assembly,  from  what  county  and  where  residing  in  the  city,  while  attending  to 
their  legislative  duty. 

6.  Public  state  officers,  and  by  whom  kept. 

7.  Counsellors  at  law,  and  where  residing  in  city  or  countrj'. 

8.  Ministers  of  the  gospel,  where  residing,  and  of  what  Church. 

9.  Physicians,  surgeons,  and  their  places  of  abode. 

10.  President,  directors,  days,  and  hours  of  business  at  the  bank. 

11.  Professors,  &c.,  of  the  university  of  Columbia  College. 

12.  Rates  of  porterage  as  by  law  estal)lished. 

13.  Arrivals  and  departures  of  the  posts  and  stages. 

14.  Societies,  their  places  of  abode,  and  where  meeting,  will  please  to  give  in  their  names. 

15.  Tradesmen,  their  occupations,  and  where  residing  in  the  city,  &c,  &c. 

To  which  will  be  added, 

A  valuable  and  well  calculated  Almanack,  tables  of  the  diflFerent  coins,  suitable  for  any  state,  and  digested 
in  such  order  as  to  render  an  exchange  between  any  of  the  United  States  plain  and  easy. 

This  useful  production,  it  is  supposed,  will  stand  each  sul)scriber  in  al)out  Six  Shillings,  four  of  which 
are  to  be  paid  at  subscribing,  and  the  remainder  on  delivery. 

Subscriptions   are   taken   in   by   Mr.   Bradford,  at  the  Coffee-house;  the  Printer  hereof,  and  by  the 

compiler  _ 

'  DAVID  FRANKS. 

This  year  marks  the  one  hundred  and  thirtieth  anniversary  of  our  City  Di- 
rectory. That  is  not  a  very  long  period  when  referred  to  in  connection  with  the  life 
of  a  municipality.  London's  directory  is  now  beyond  its  900th  year  and  yet  the 
New  York  Directory  of  1916  has  risen  to  the  premier  position  of  all  the  cities  of 
the  civilized  world  and  will  contain  more  names  by  a  great  many  thousands  in  1916 
than  will  that  of  any  other  city  in  existence. 

If  David  Franks,  the  compiler,  or  Shepard  Kollock,  the  printer  of  the  first  di- 
rectory, could  only  see  their  present  successor  it  would  be  something  of  a  surprise 
to  them — the  population  of  the  city  at  that  time  (1786)  was  23,416 — and  to-day  it 
is  about  5,800,000. 

INTERESTING  MEETING  OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  CINCINNATI  IN  1786 

The  anniversary  meeting  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  was  also  held  at  Corre's  tavern,  on  the  4th. 
inst  in  commemoration  of  the  day,  when  the  Hon.  Baron  de  Steuben,  was  elected  President,  the  Hon.  Philip 
Schuyler,  Esq.  Vice  President,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Esq.  Treasurer,  and  Robert  Pemberton,  Esq.  Secretary 
of  the  Society  for  the  ensuing  year. 

An  elegant  oration  suitable  to  the  occasion  was  deiivered  by  Col.  Hamilton,  and  an  address  by  Col. 
Walker,  greatly  pleasing  to  a  crowded  audience.  The  Society  dined  together  at  four  o'clock,  after  which  the 
following  toasts  were  drank,  under  a  discharge  of  thirteen  cannon. 

1.  The  United  States  in  Congress. 

2.  His  most  Christian  Majesty. 

3.  The  United  Netherlands. 

4.  The  friendly  powers  in  Europe. 

5.  Governor  and  State  of  New  York. 


[  294  ] 


C0PYR1C.HT.  1913.    H.  C  BROWN 


MtxhiBoxt  S-quarr:  SI^  Mortlj  fnamtmntt.  1B50 


THE  ABOVE  SHOWS  THE  EXERCISES  ATTENDING  THE  DEDICATION 
OF  THE  MONUMENT  TO  WILLIAM  JENKINS  WORTH  IN  MADISON 
SQUARE  HE  WON  FAME  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO.  THE  PICTURE 
IS  INTERESTING  AS  SHOWING  TYPES  OF  CITIZENS,  SOLDIERY.  LOCAL 
BANDS  AND  REGULAR  TROOPS 

IT  IS  ALSO  VALUABLE  AS  SHOWING  THE  TYPE  OF  PRIVATE  RESI- 
DENCES WHICH  THEN  LINED  THE  SQUARE.  THE  PRESENT  SITE 
OF  THE  METROPOLITAN  TOWER  IS  SHOWN  AT  THE  RIGHT  FACING 
YOU.  AND  THE  LEFT  IS  26th  STREET  THE  BLANK  SPACE  BEHIND 
THE  MONUMENT  WAS  THE  LOW-LYING  BUILDINGS  OF  THE  HARLEM 
RAILROAD  DEPOT- NOW  MADISON  SQUARE  GARDEN. 
FROM  A  RARE  OLD  LITHOGRAPH  ISSUED  TO  COMMFMORATE  THE 
EVENT. 

FROM  THE  COLLfCTION  UF  MN   J  CLARFNCC  DAVIC& 


The  First  Directory  of  New  York 


6.  Our  brethren  in  the  United  States  and  in  France. 

7.  The  glorious  and  immortal  memory  of  all  who  have  fallen  in  defence  of  the  liberties  of  America. 

8.  May  the  powers  of  Congress  be  adequate  to  preserve  the  general  Union. 

9.  The  17th  of  October,  1777. 
K).  The  19th  of  October  1781. 

11.  The  fair  friends  of  the  Cincinnati. 

12.  George  WashingtoH,  Esq.,  the  President  of  the  Society. 
18.  The  Day. 

The  greatest  harmony  and  decorum  was  observed,  the  day  was  happily  spent,  and  at  the  early  hour  of 

eight  in  the  evening  the  company  broke  up. — Weekly  Post  Boy. 


PERILS  OF  EARLY  NAVIGATION  ON  THE  EAST  RIVER  (178G) 

Saturday  afternoon,  one  of  the  Brooklyne  ferry  boats,  crossing  from  the  city,  with  Mr.  Thorn,  Mr. 
Backhouse,  and  a  servant  of  his  Excellency  Don  Gardoqui,  together  with  five  horses,  about  half  way  over  by 
some  accident  one  of  the  horses  fell  to  leeward,  which  threw  the  rest  into  confusion,  and  the  wind  being  fresh, 
the  boat  overset  with  a  heavy  sea.  On  this  occasion,  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  French  packet,  acquired  much 
credit,  as  by  their  timely  exertions  no  lives  were  lost,  the  horses  were  saved  by  swimming  to  the  shore. 

ECHO  OF  A  TRAGEDY  THAT  ONCE  STIRRED  NEW  YORK 

TO  ITS  DEPTHS 

The  Official  Record  of  the  Coroner's  Inquest  Held  upon  the  Body  of  Alexander 

Hamilton 

It  is  doubtful  if  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  to-day  can  realize  the  conster- 
nation, the  excitement,  which  prevailed  throughout  the  city  upon  the  receipt  of  the 
awful  news  that  Alexander  Hamilton  had  been  killed  in  a  duel  with  Aaron  Burr. 
A  simple  slip  of  paper  pasted  on  the  door  of  the  Tontine  Coffee  House  attracted 
but  casual  attention  at  first,  but  when  its  contents  became  known  the  excitement 
became  intense  and  the  indignation  of  the  citizens  knew  no  bounds.  Steps  were  at 
once  taken  to  apprehend  his  "murderer." 

In  those  days  dueling  was  a  recognized  code  of  honor  and  to  apply  such  an 
epithet  to  the  victor  was  unheard  of.  But  it  was  Alexander  Hamilton — the  idol 
of  Washington,  the  leading  statesman  of  his  time  and  foremost  figure  in  the  coun- 
try. That  he  had  been  struck  down  by  a  Senator  in  Congress  and  an  ex- Vice- 
President  and  leading  lawyer,  availed  nothing.  Burr  was  a  cowardly  murderer  and 
the  populace  thirsted  for  vengeance. 

Burr  escaped  in  a  boat  from  the  rear  of  his  home  in  Richmond  Hill.  In  one 
unfortunate  moment  he  took  two  brilliant  lives — Hamilton's  and  his  own.  For 
Aaron  Burr  from  that  moment  was  a  hunted,  persecuted  man  to  the  day  of  his 
death — in  abject  poverty  nearly  fifty  years  later. 

This  terrible  tragedy  cast  a  gloom  over  New  York  for  many  daj'^s  and  on  the 
day  of  Hamilton's  funeral  all  business  was  suspended  and  the  city  gave  itself  up 
to  unrestrained  grief.  He  was  buried  in  Trinity  churchyard  and  his  grave  can  be 
seen  within  a  few  steps  of  Broadway. 

This  incident  had  one  lasting  good  result.  It  brought  about  the  ultimate  ban- 
ishment of  the  duello.  It  speedily  lost  caste  in  the  North  and  finallj^  disappeared 
entirely  from  the  whole  country.    The  following  account  of  the  inquest  over  the 


[297  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


body  of  Hamilton  is  of  great  interest,  being  the  exact  phraseologj^  of  the  Coroner's 
unique  report. 

City  and  County  of  New  York,  ss.: 

An  Inquisition  Indented  taken  for  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York  at  the  third  Ward  of  the  City 
of  New  York,  the  thirteenth  day  of  July  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  Eight  hundred  and  four, 
and  continued  by  adjournment  until  the  second  day  of  August  in  the  year  aforesaid,  before  rne  John  Burger, 
Coroner  for  the  said  City  and  County  of  New  York,  on  view  of  the  body  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  then  and 
there  to  wit,  on  the  said  thirteenth  day  of  July  in  the  year  last  aforesaid,  at  the  ward.  City  and  County 
aforesaid  lying  dead.  Upon  the  oath  of  Alexander  Anderson,  George  Minuse,  John  A.  Hardenbrook,  Peter 
Bonnett,  Elam  Williams,  John  CoflSn,  John  Mildeberger,  David  A  Brower,  David  I>ydig,  Abraham  Bloodgood, 
James  Cummings,  Amos  Curtis,  Isaac  Burr,  Benjamin  Strong  and  John  D.  Miller,  good  and  lawful  men  of 
the  said  City  and  County  of  New  York,  duly  chosen,  and  who  being  then  and  there  duly  sworn  and  charged 
to  enquire  for  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  when,  where  and  by  what  means  the  said  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton came  to  his  death,  do  upon  their  oath  say,  that  Aaron  Burr  late  of  the  eighth  ward  of  the  said  City  in  the 
said  County,  Esquire  and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  but 
being  moved  and  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  the  devil,  on  the  Eleventh  day  of  July  in  the  year  last  aforesaid, 
with  force  and  arms,  in  the  county  of  Bergen  and  State  of  New  Jersey  in  and  upon  the  said  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton in  the  peace  of  God  and  of  the  people  of  the  said  State  of  New  Jersey,  then  and  there  being,  feloniously, 
wilfully  and  of  his  malice  aforethought  did  make  an  assault,  and  that  the  said  Aaron  Burr,  with  a  certain  pistol 
of  the  value  of  one  dollar,  charged  and  loaded  with  gunjwwder  and  a  leaden  bullet,  which  he  the  said  Aaron 
Burr,  then  and  there  had  and  held  in  his  right  hand,  to,  at,  and  against  the  right  side  of  the  belly  of  the  said 
Alexander  Hamilton,  did  then  and  there  shoot  oflF  and  discharge,  by  means  whereof  he  the  said  Aaron  Burr, 
feloniouslj',  wilfully  and  of  his  malice  aforethought,  did  then  and  there  give  unto  him  the  said  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton, with  the  leaden  bullet  aforesaid,  so  as  aforesaid  shot  and  discharged  out  of  the  pistol  aforesaid  by  the 
force  of  the  gunpowder  aforesaid,  upon  the  right  side  of  the  belly  of  him  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton,  a 
little  above  the  hip,  one  mortal  wound  penetrating  the  belly  of  him  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton,  of  which  said 
mortal  wound  he  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton  from  the  said  eleventh  day  of  July  in  the  year  aforesaid,  until 
the  twelfth  day  of  July,  in  the  same  year,  as  well  in  the  County  of  Bergen  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey 
aforesaid,  as  also  at  the  eighth  ward  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  the  County  of  New  York  aforesaid,  did  lan- 
guish and  languishing  did  live,  on  which  twelfth  day  of  July  in  the  said  year,  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton, 
at  the  said  Eighth  ward  of  the  said  City  in  the  said  County  of  New  York  of  the  mortal  wound  aforesaid  died, 
and  the  jurors  aforesaid  on  their  oaths  aforesaid,  do  further  say,  that  William  P.  Van  Ness,  late  of  the  first 
Ward  of  the  City  of  New  York  &  County  of  N.  Y.  Attorney  at  Law,  and  Nathaniel  Pendleton  late  of  the  same 
place  Counsellor  at  Law,  at  the  time  of  committing  the  felony  and  murder  aforesaid,  feloniously,  wilfully  and 
of  their  malice  and  aforethought  were  present  abetting,  aiding,  assisting,  comforting  and  maintaining  the  said 
Aaron  Burr  to  kill  and  murder  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton  in  manner  aforesaid. 

And  so  the  Jurors  aforesaid  upon  their  oath  aforesaid  do  say,  the  said  Aaron  Burr,  and  the  said  Wil- 
liam P.  Van  Ness  and  Nathaniel  Pendleton,  him  the  said  Alexander  Hamilton  in  manner  and  by  means  afore- 
said, feloniously,  wilfully  and  of  their  malice  aforethought,  did  kill  and  murder  against  the  peace  of  the  Peo- 
ple of  the  State  of  New  York  and  their  dignity. 

In  witness  whereof  as  well  the  aforesaid  Coroner,  as  the  Jurors  aforesaid,  have  to  this  Inquisition  put 
their  seals,  on  the  second  day  of  August  and  in  the  year  One  thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  four,  and  at  the 
place  aforesaid. 

John  Buboer,  Coroner,  L.  S. 


Alexr.  Ajtdersojt. 

L. 

S. 

Geo.  Mixuse. 

L. 

S. 

JoHX  A.  Hahdexbeook. 

L. 

s. 

Peter  Boxxett. 

L. 

S. 

EuLSI  WlIXIAMS. 

L. 

S. 

JoHX  COFFIX. 

L. 

s. 

JOHK  MrLDEBEBGER. 

L. 

s. 

Davtd  Bbowee. 

L. 

s. 

David  Ltdio. 

L. 

s. 

Abm.  Bloodgood. 

L. 

s. 

JaSIES  CUSIMIXGS. 

L. 

s. 

Amos  Curtis. 

L. 

s. 

Isaac  Burr. 

L. 

s. 

B.  M.  Stboxg. 

L. 

s. 

J.  D.  Miller. 

L. 

s. 

[  298  ] 


A  VERY  GOOD  VIEW  OF  MAIDEN  LANE  ABOUT  1885  THE  FAMOUS 
CENTRE  .OF  THE  WHOLESALE  JEWELRY  TRADE  AN  IDEA  OF  ^HE 
LARGE  NUMBER  OF  WIRES  CARRIED  OVERHEAD  ,N  THOSE  DAYS  CAN 
BE  JUDGED  BY  COUNTING  THE  ARMS  ON  THE  POLE  AT  THE  LEFT 


Ellis  Island  in  the  Eaely  Days 


GRANT'S  LAST  RESIDENCE  IN  NEW  YORK 

After  Grant's  retirement  from  the  Presidency  and  return  from  his  trip  around 
the  world,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  our  city  in  a  home  presented  to  him  in 
Sixty-fifth  Street  by  many  of  his  admirers.  His  Tomb  on  Riverside  Drive  is  an 
object  of  world-wide  interest  and  is  daily  visited  by  distinguished  visitors  from 
all  parts. 

It  was  during  his  last  fatal  illness,  after  reviewing  a  parade  of  Grand  Army 
Men  who  wished  to  see  their  old  Commander  once  more,  that  he  sent  his  famous 
message  to  the  country — "Let  Us  Have  Peace."  He  was  standing  at  the  -window 
looking  down  into  the  street  gazing  at  a  dense  crowd  who  stood  motionless 
and  silent  as  the  General's  figure  came  into  view.  He  saluted  quietly  and  wrote 
the  message  for  the  reporters,  who  were  anxious  that  he  would  send  an  Easter 
greeting  to  the  world. 

During  his  long  illness  a  complete  telegraph  office  was  fitted  up  in  the  base- 
ment of  the  adjoining  house  and  was  never  deserted  a  moment  night  or  day 
during  that  terrible  period  of  alternation  between  hope  and  fear, 

A  remarkable  feature  of  Grant's  illness  was  the  steady  stream  of  passersby 
who  filled  the  streets  from  morning  till  night.  Men  removed  their  hats  and  women 
bowed,  while  no  sound  was  ever  made  near  the  house.  It  was  a  tribute  of  love 
and  appreciation  such  as  few  men  have  ever  lived  to  experience.  His  funeral 
brought  together  a  commingling  of  the  Blue  and  the  Gray  such  as  was  never  deemed 
possible  and  the  mourners  included  men  from  every  known  station  in  life.  New 
York  never  saw  such  a  pageant  before  and  probably  never  will  again. 

ELLIS  ISLAND  IN  THE  EARLY  DAYS 

The  magnificent  structures  on  ElHs  Island  to-day,  through  which  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  emigrants  of  all  nations  pass  every  month,  bear  small  resemblance 
to  the  location  in  1868.  That  is  not  so  very  long  ago,  but  at  that  time  Castle 
Garden  was  supposed  to  be  adequate  for  the  handling  of  this  business,  and  Ellis 
Island  was  occupied  as  a  storage  point  for  powder.  The  proximity  of  this  station 
with  its  direful  possibilities  was  constantly  the  theme  of  complaints  to  the  daily 
papers,  and  the  following  article  from  Harper's  W eeldy  accurately  reflects  the 
attitude  of  the  public  mind  toward  this  situation: 

The  New  York  Sun  lately  called  attention  to  the  startling  fact  tliat  New  York,  Brook- 
lyn, Jersey  City,  and  the  numerous  villages  on  Staten  Island,  are  now,  and  have  been  for 
a  long  time,  in  imminent  peril  of  being  at  once  destroyed  by  the  explosions  of  the  magazines 
on  Ellis's  Island,  which  lies  in  New  York  Harbor,  about  half-way  between  tlie  Battery  and 
the  New  Jersey  shore.  We  have  had  a  sketch  made  of  the  Island,  and  after  some  inquiries 
into  the  facts  in  the  case,  find  that  the  fears  of  the  Sun  are  well  founded ;  the  million  and  a 
half  of  people  residing  in  the  vicinity  of  the  City  Hall  of  New  York  are  daily  and  hourly  in 
imminent  danger  of  being  blown  into  atoms ! 

For  more  than  forty  years  Ellis's  Island  has  been  a  fortified  post  and  magazine  of  the 


[301] 


CiLiMPSKS  OF  Old  New  York 


Govornrncnt,  Fort  Gibson,  which  is  situated  on  it,  is  one  of  the  last  of  the  chain  of  defenses 
of  the  harbor,  and  mounts  twelve  forty-two-poundcr  guns.  The  magazine  buildings,  six  in 
number,  are  built  of  solid  masonry  with  slate  roofs.  The  capacity  of  the  buildings  admits 
of  tJie  storage  of  5000  barrels  or  at  least  1000  tons  of  powder.  There  are  at  this  time 
stored  on  the  Island  about  8000  barrels  and  a  very  large  number  of  shells ;  while  in  the 
vicinity  and  even  nearer  to  Jersey  City  (in  fact,  within  a  few  rods  of  the  Depot  of  the  Jersey 
Central  Railroad)  arc  the  powder-boats  of  Messrs.  Smith  &  Rand,  Dupont,  and  Hazzard, 
usually  containing  at  least  5000  barrels,  or  more  than  1000  tons.  Thus,  on  the  Island  and 
in  its  immediate  vicinity  are  stored  at  least  1500  tons  of  powder! 

It  has  been  clearly  demonstrated  by  a  simple  arithmetical  calculation,  based  on  actual 
experiments,  that  the  gas  generated  by  the  sudden  combustion  of  1500  tons  of  powder  would 
exert,  at  a  distance  of  eight  miles,  a  pressure  of  200  pounds  to  the  square  yard.  Within 
eight  miles  of  Ellis's  Island  lies  all  of  Jersey  City,  all  of  Brooklyn,  and  all  of  the  populous 
part  of  New  York  below  Central  Park.  Every  building  in  either  of  these  cities  has  a  front- 
age of  at  least  150  square  yards,  and  would,  therefore,  in  case  of  an  explosion,  receive  a  sudden 
shock  of  30,000  pounds,  before  which  the  stoutest  wall  would  instantly  give  way. 

.  There  is  not  the  slightest  necessity  for  accumulating  this  amount  of  powder 
in  such  close  proximity  to  the  most  populous  city  in  the  country ;  and  safety  imperatively 
demands  that  Mr.  Gideon  Welles,  of  the  Navy  Department,  familiarly  called  "Father  Welles," 
by  whose  authority  the  powder  is  there,  shall  awake  to  the  danger,  and  at  once  remove  the 
combustible  article  from  our  doors. 

OUR  VOLUNTEER  FIREMEN 

No  more  spectacular  or  thrilling  sight  was  seen  in  our  city  than  the  gathering 
of  the  clans  when  the  bell-tower  clanged  forth  a  midnight  alarm  and  the  boys  turned 
out  to  run  with  the  machine.  For  many  years  this  city  depended  entirely  upon 
a  volunteer  system. 

Early  in  1686  an  ordinance  was  enacted  that  every  house  having  two 
chimneys  should  be  provided  with  a  fire  bucket,  and  that  those  having  more  than 
two  fireplaces  should  have  two  buckets.  This,  however,  did  not  suffice,  and  it  was 
enacted,  in  1696,  that  every  tenant,  under  a  penaltj^  should  procure  the  necessary 
number  of  buckets,  and  deduct  the  cost  of  them  from  the  rent.  The  practice  of 
having  every  house  supplied  with  fire  buckets  now  became  general,  and  was  con- 
tinued long  after  the  introduction  of  fire  engines.  If  a  fire  broke  out  at  night, 
the  watchman  gave  the  alarm  with  his  rattle,  and  knocked  at  the  doors  of  the 
houses  with  the  cry,  "Throw  out  your  buckets,"  the  alarm  being  further  spread 
by  the  ringing  of  the  bell  at  the  Fort  and  by  the  bells  in  the  steeples  of  the  dif- 
ferent churches.  When  the  inmates  of  a  house  were  aroused,  the  first  act  was  to 
throw  out  the  buckets  into  the  street,  which  were  of  sole  leather,  holding  about 
three  gallons,  and  were  always  hung  in  the  passage  close  to  the  door.  They  were 
picked  up  by  those  who  were  hastening  to  the  fire,  it  being  the  general  custom  for 
nearly  every  householder  to  hurry  to  the  fire,  whether  by  day  or  by  night,  and  ren- 
der his  assistance.  As  soon  as  possible,  two  lines  were  formed  from  the  fire  to  the 
nearest  well  or  pump,  and  when  that  gave  out,  the  line  was  carried  to  the  next  one 


[302] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913,    H    C.  BROWN 


THIS  SHOWS  THE  FAMOUS  JEFFERSON  MARKET  AND  ONE  OF  THE 
MANY  BELL  TOWERS  SCATTERED  THROUGHOUT  THE  CITY.  WHICH 
RANG  THE  ALARM  FOR  VOLUNTEER  FIREMEN.  AND  ALSO  GIVES  A 
GOOD  VIEW  OF  LOWER  SIXTH  AVENUE  BEFORE  THE  ADVENT  OF 
THE  ELEVATED  RAILROAD.  AND  A  GENERAL  IDEA  OF  OLD  GREEN- 
WICH VILLAGE. 

FROM   THE   COLLtCTION   OF   MR,  E.  H.  SAUER. 


Our  Volunteer  Firemen 


or  to  the  river.  The  one  hne  passed  up  the  full  buckets  and  the  empty  ones  were 
passed  down  the  other.  No  one  was  permitted  to  break  through  these  lines,  and  if 
any  one  attempted  to  do  so,  and  would  not  fall  in,  a  bucket  of  water  or  several 
were  instantly  thrown  over  him.  Each  bucket  was  marked  with  the  name  or 
number  of  the  owner,  and  when  the  fire  was  over,  they  were  all  collected  together 
and  taken  in  a  cart  belonging  to  the  City  Hall.  A  city  bellman  then  went  round 
to  announce  that  they  were  ready  for  delivery,  when  each  householder  sent  for  his 
buckets  and  hung  them  up  in  the  allotted  place,  ready  for  the  next  emergency. 

With  the  growth  of  the  city  this  somewhat  antiquated  method  of  fire-fighting 
acquired  a  more  responsible  management  and  the  volunteer  service  received  ever- 
increasing  support  from  the  city.  Engine-houses  were  provided  and  signal  towers 
maintained. 

The  day  of  the  volunteer  fire  laddie  in  New  York  was  certainly  a  picturesque 
era.  Thousands  still  remember  old  Harry  Howard,  the  last  of  the  clan.  Bill 
Tweed  had  his  first  prominence  as  chief  of  Big  Six.  Hundreds  of  well-known 
New  Yorkers  were  members  of  this  company  or  of  that.  Riley's  Fifth  Ward 
Hotel,  on  the  corner  of  West  Broadway  and  Franklin  Street,  had  an  immensely 
tall  flagpole  for  those  days,  and  around  it  would  gather  many  of  the  engines  in  a 
friendly  contest  as  to  which  could  throw  the  highest  stream. 

If  as  a  boy  you  wandered  into  an  unfamiliar  part  of  the  city,  you  would  be  at 
once  asked  by  other  boys  what  hose  you  ran  with.  If  you  happened  to  be  in  Fourth 
Street,  you  would  answer  "47,"  or  if  in  the  Dry  Dock  region,  you  would  say  "Forest 
3."  These  would  change  to  "Live  Oak  44"  or  "Marion  9,"  as  the  case  might  be. 
Should  you  fail  to  answer  correctly,  a  good  puncliing  was  your  reward,  as  the 
small  boy  aped  the  rivalry  of  his  elders. 

In  the  beginning  and  for  a  long  time  afterwards,  the  Volunteers  did  excellent 
work.  But  the  city  grew  with  astonishing  rapidity  and  it  soon  became  a  physical 
impossibility  to  drag  the  machines  the  intolerable  distances  demanded,  and  reach 
the  scene  of  action  in  good  condition.  Naturally,  those  who  had  joined  to  protect 
their  immediate  vicinity  could  no  longer  respond  to  alarms  miles  away,  and  thus  a 
body  of  men  of  a  totally  different  character  from  the  original  "Fire  Laddies" 
usurped  their  places.  Politics  also  crept  in  and  soon  the  Volunteers  assumed  a  po- 
sition in  the  city's  civic  development  entirely  foreign  to  their  original  purpose. 
Fights  and  brawls  were  an  almost  constant  occurrence  at  fires,  and  soon  the  citizens 
knew  not  which  to  dread  most — a  fire  or  the  firemen.  It  is  a  matter  of  record  that 
they  consistently  and  persistently  opposed  the  introduction  of  nearly  every  new 
improvement  in  fire-fighting  apparatus  and  finally  brought  down  upon  themselves 
the  wrath  of  the  community,  and  with  it  their  own  extinction. 

Toward  the  end,  almost  1,000  men  would  appear  at  nearly  every  fire.  An 
alarm  was  also  the  signal  for  a  general  outpouring  of  the  city's  worst  and  most 
dangerous  characters,  and  in  addition  to  the  near-riots  of  the  firemen  themselves 
were  added  the  looting,  robbing  and  pillaging  of  these  lawless  toughs.  Upon  the 
introduction  of  the  paid  department  these  abuses  to  a  great  extent  ceased  and  soon 
passed  away  entirely.    Nevertheless,  the  Volunteer  Fire  Laddie  in  Old  New  York 


[  305  ] 


Glimpses  or  Old  New  York 


was  a  brave  citizen,  an  intrepid  fighter,  and  repeatedly  endangered  his  life  with  no 
thought  of  the  consequences. 

For  many  years  they  served  the  city  with  rare  courage  and  unquestioned 
heroism.  That  their  services  were  valuable  and  are  still  remembered  with  great 
appreciation  there  is  no  doubt,  and  to  the  old  New  Yorker  the  recollection  of  the 
boys  "running  with  the  machine"  still  remains  an  inspiring  and  romantic  memory. 
Many  of  them  recall  with  zest  the  spirited  encounters  in  which  they  bore,  no  doubt, 
a  part.  It  is  not  our  purpose  to  do  more  than  recall  this  interesting  feature  of 
picturesque  days  that  are  no  more.  To  the  reader  of  to-day  it  may  seem  that  the 
system  long  outlived  its  usefulness. 

That  New  York  City  with  a  population  of  nearly  a  million  souls  depended 
upon  a  Volunteer  P^ire  Department  as  late  as  186.5  sounds  like  a  joke.  Boston, 
Baltimore,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati  and  many  other  cities  had  long  ago  abolished  the 
system  and  were  operating  a  paid  department  at  a  tremendous  saving. 

NO  CHRISTMAS,  AS  WE  KNOW  IT,  IN  FORMER  TIMES 

In  compiling  this  work,  the  writer  has  met  more  than  one  person  who  com- 
bats the  statement  that  Christmas  as  we  know  it  to-day  was  a  thing  unheard  of 
fifty  or  more  years  ago.  He  has  been  at  considerable  pains  to  investigate  the 
facts  and  is  forced  to  conclude  that  Christmas  in  the  time  of  our  grandfathers 
was  scarcely  observed  at  all.  And  it  was  not  until  the  German  element  of  our 
population  had  increased  so  enormously  that  the  celebration  became  at  all  gen- 
eral. 

On  this  point,  Mr.  Haswell  also  writes: 

"Christmas  was  very  slightly  observed  as  a  general  Hobday  at  the  time  of  which  I 
write  (1860)  and  Christmas  shopping  and  Christmas  presents,  except  those  of  'Santa 
Claus'  for  children,  scarcely  existed.  New  Year's  Day  was  the  popular  winter  holiday, 
the  very  old  custom  of  paying  New  Year's  visits  being  universal,  as  indeed  it  continued 
to  be  until  1874." 

A  letter  to  the  Sun  further  corroborates  this  evidence: 

"Mr.  A.  S.  Kirkman  asks  for  confirmation  of  his  recollection  that  on  Christmas  fifty 
years  ago  or  so  the  Protestant  churches,  excepting  the  Episcopalian,  were  closed  and  the 
public  schools  open.  In  regard  to  the  schools  my  memory  does  not  serve  me,  but  I  re- 
call very  distinctly  that  no  services  were  held  on  that  day  in  the  Presbyterian  and  other 
churches  and  that  the  most  of  us  children  received  our  presents  on  New  Year's  Day.  Only 
a  few  days  ago  I  told  my  family  about  this  condition  and  they  could  hardly  realize  it, 
so  much  have  times  changed.  The  prejudice  against  Christmas  under  the  Puritans  of  the  Com- 
monwealth is  well  known.  The  feeling  against  any  Christmas  religious  ceremony  still  exists 
in  Scotland  among  certain  of  the  Presbyterians.  A.  J.  S." 

Other  authorities  bear  out  the  same  contention,  so  it  seems  that  we  shall  have 
to  admit  that  St.  Nicholas  really  made  his  appearance  in  New  York  with  the  ad- 
vent of  the  Germans. 


[  306  ] 


CLEMENT  C.  MOORE,  A  SON  OF  BISHOP  MOORE.  WAS  A  DISTIN- 
GUISHED MEMBER  OF  THE  GENERAL  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY  IN 
OLD  CHELSEA  VILLAGE.  ALTHOUGH  HE  WAS  A  VERY  LEARNED  MAN, 
NONE  OF  HIS  SERIOUS  WORK  FOR  WHICH  HE  WAS  MUCH  ESTEEMED 
IN  HIS  DAY  HAS  COME  DOWN  TO  US 

HE  FOUND  THE  ROAD  TO  FAME.  HOWEVER.  IN  THOSE  ACCIDENTAL 
BUT  DELIGHTFUL  VERSES  KNOWN  TO  CHILDHOOD  THE  WIDE  WORLD 
OVER: 

'Vtcd.t   llir    iiinlit  before   Christmas  ti'licn 

all  through  the  house 
Not  a  creature  was  stirrixg,  not  even  a 

mo  use." 


ON  A  RAINY  AFTERNOON  HE  WROTE  THEM  IN  THE  HOUSE  SHOWN 
ABOVE.  TO  AMUSE  HIS  GRANDCHILDREN. 


New  York  Street  Cries  of  Long  Ago 


CURIOUS  HAPPENINGS  IN  1802 

Let  us  go  back  for  a  moment  to  1802  and  see  what  was  going  on  in  New  York 
City. 

NEW  FERRY 

December  11,  1802. 

A  new  ferry,  we  understand,  has  lately  been  established  by  Mr.  N.  Budd  between  Powles  Hook  and  this 

city. 

The  ferry  on  the  Jersey  Shore  is  somewhat  to  the  northward  of  the  old  Ferry  kept  by  Major  Hunt, 
The  terms  are  said  to  be  lower  than  those  of  the  old  establishment.  The  competition  of  Ferry  Boats,  like 
that  of  public  vehicles,  must  always  prove  beneficial  to  the  Community. 

Here's  an  advertisement  that  looks  odd  enough  in  these  days : 

JOHN  TIEBOUT 
NO.  246  "WATER  STREET,  NEAR  PECK  SLIP, 
HAS  FOR  SALE 
LOTTERY  TICKETS 
IN  HALVES,  QUARTERS  AND  EIGHTHS 
 o  

BLANK  BOOKS  OF  EVERY  DESCRIPTION 
BIBLES  OF  EVERY  SIZE 

REUBEN  AND  RACHEL: 
OR  TALES  OF  OLD  TIMES,  BY  MRS.  ROWSON, 
ETC.,   ETC.,  ETC. 

December  18,  1802. 


NEW  YORK  STREET  CRIES  OF  LONG  AGO 

A  very  curious  feature  of  New  York  Hfe  fifty  years  ago  was  the  numerous 
venders  of  eatables  that  were  sold  from  door  to  door.  Occasionally,  one  still 
comes  across  a  peddler  on  the  East  side  crying  his  wares,  but,  nowadays,  it  is  the 
exception  and  not  the  rule.  Yet  in  former  times  the  streets  were  alive  at  all 
hours  of  the  day  and  night  with  hucksters  of  one  sort  or  another  and  every  trade 
had  its  special  cry  frequently  varied  by  a  verse.  The  clam  man  sang : 

"Here's  clams,  here's  clams,  here's  clams  to-day. 
They  lately  came  from  Rockaway ; 
They're  good  to  roast,  they're  good  to  fry, 
They're  good  to  make  a  clam  pot-pie. 
Here  they  go!" 

The  baker's  boy,  in  the  afternoon,  took  a  basket  with  the  fresh-baked  tea  rusk 
and  cried  "Tea  ruk,  ruk,  ruk,  tea  ruk";  and  the  negro  woman,  in  the  summer  and 
fall  of  the  year,  with  a  simple  bandanna  kerchief  on  her  head,  toted  a  pail  and 
shouted  "Hot  corn,  hot  corn,  here's  your  hly  wliite  hot  corn;  hot  corn,  all  hot; 
just  come  out  of  the  boiling  pot!"  And  then  another  of  a  like  type  also  toted  and 
shouted  "Baked  pears,  baked  pears,  fresh  baked,  baked  pears!" 

Chimney  sweeps,  rendered  necessary  by  the  general  use  of  wood  or  bitumi- 
nous coal,  saluted  the  early  morning  with  "Sweep  O!  Sweep  O!"  "Rags,  rags, 
any  old  rags!"  "Old  clo',  old  clo',  any  old  clo'!"  "Scissors  to  grind,  scissors  to 
grind!"  and  the  jingle  of  the  junkman's  bells  were  familiar  sounds. 

Venders  of  oysters,  fish,  buns,  yeast,  hot  spiced  ginger-bread,  strawberries, 
ice  cream  and  what  not,  all  added  to  the  din  and  even  in  those  so-called  peaceful 
days  there  was  plenty  of  noise.    They  were  a  picturesque,  hard-working  lot  with 


[  309  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


many  a  well-known  character  among  them.  So  pronounced  a  leature  of  the  city's 
life  that  curious  drawings  of  them  still  exist;  one  in  particular  in  the  rooms  of  the 
N.  Y.  Historical  Society  shows  at  least  a  dozen  characteristic  poses  of  these  itin- 
erant merchants.  Strange  to  relate,  the  omnipresent  newsboy  of  to-day  had 
not  made  his  appearance  in  any  considerable  number,  but  his  beginning  was  noted. 

EARLY  DATES  OF  IMPORTANT  EVENTS 

IGGO.  Made  the  duty  of  the  Sherrif  to  go  around  the  city  in  the  night;  but,  he  complains  that  the  dogs 
attack  him;  also,  that  people  occasion  frights  by  hollooing  "Indian"  in  the  nights;  also,  that  the  boys  cut 
"koeckles." 

1664.  The  city  taken  by  the  English,  and  the  name  changed  to  New  York.    Population,  1,500. 

1665.  Manhattan  Island  first  incorporated  under  the  government  of  a  Mayor,  Alderman  and  Sheriff. 
Jury  trials  first  established  in  the  city.    The  city  records  kept  in  both  Dutch  and  English. 

1673.  The  city  retaken  by  the  Dutch. 

1674.  The  city  contained  322  houses.  The  city  and  province  ceded  to  England  by  the  Dutch,  and  the  name 
of  New  York  finally  restored. 

1676.    Two  stud  horses  ordered  to  be  let  loose  on  the  commons  for  the  increase  of  the  animals. 

1678.    The  shipping  belonging  to  the  city  was  3  ships,  and  15  smaller  vessels  (sloops  and  barques). 

1684.  No  swine  permitted  to  run  in  the  streets. 

1685.  The  city  takes  upon  itself  the  support  of  public  paupers;  and  in  the  first  place,  Top  Knot  Betty 
to  have  3s.  j)er  week,  and  Scarbank  to  have  a  new  suit. 

1688.    Wall  street  laid  out  35  feet  wide. 

1691.  A  ducking  stool  (for  punishment  of  criminals)  erected  in  front  of  City  Hall.  All  "poysonous  and 
stinking  weeds  before  every  one's  door  to  be  plucked  up." 

1693.    The  first  printing  press  established  in  this  city  by  William  Bradford. 

1695.  The  streets  cleaned  by  contract,  £30  per  annum. 

1696.  Captain  Kidd  arrived  in  New  York  to  recruit  for  his  expedition  (in  which  he  turned  pirate).  Pop- 
ulation about  6,000. 

1697.  First  regular  night  watch  established,  consisting  of  four  men.  Lamps  first  hung  out  from  every 
seventh  house,  upon  a  pole,  extending  from  the  window. 

1699.  Public  scavengers  first  employed  to  clean  the  street.  King  street  (now  William  street)  filled  up  and 
regulated. 

1702.    Great  pestilence  in  the  city. 

1708.  Trinity  church-yard  granted  to  the  church  by  the  city.  Population  of  the  city  5,200.  A  cage  pil- 
lory and  stocks  for  exposure  of  criminals,  erected  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  at  Coenties  »lip. 

1711.  Purchase  made  of  eighteen  rush  bottom  chairs  and  an  oval  table  for  the  use  of  the  Common  Council; 
ordered  that  negro  slaves,  for  hire,  stand  in  rank  in  the  market  home,  foot  of  Wall  Street. 

1714.    City  watch  increased  to  six  men. 

1725.    First  newspaper  {The  New  York  Gazette)  published  in  this  city  by  William  Bradford. 
1740-1.    The  hard  Winter  continuing  from  the  middle  of  November  to  the  latter  end  of  March.    Snow  six 
feet  on  a  level  and  the  Hudson  frozen  over. 
1755.    Ferry  established  to  Staten  Island. 
1761.    The  Narrows  frozen  over. 

1764.    Coal  began  to  be  thought  of  in  America.    (June   13.)   Sandy  Hook  Light  House  lit  first  time. 
A  butcher  disfranchised  for  saying  he  would  sell  beef  at  4V2d.  per  lb.  "in  spite  of  all  the  wiseheads." 
1775.    Population  of  New  York  25,000. 

1779-80.  The  Winter  was  very  severe;  a  beaten  track  for  sleighs  and  wagons  across  the  Hudson,  horsemen 
riding  over  as  late  as  March  17.  Eighty  sleighs,  with  provisions  and  a  large  body  of  troops,  crossed  the  ice 
to  Staten  Island. 

1784.    Population  of  New  York  about  12,000. 

1786.    Population  of  New  York  23,614. 


[310] 


SJpginmnga  of  tljr  Srafftr  S'qlta^:  18BB 


EARLY  IN  1868  MOUNTED  POLICE  WERE  INTRODUCED  TO  THE  CITY 
THEIR  FIRST  DUTY  WAS  IN  THE  NEIGHBORHOOD  OF  SCHOOLS  AND 
PARKS  TO  LOOK  OUTFORTHECHILDREN  THEYDIDNOT  ENJOY  THE 
RESPECT  OF  THE  AVERAGE  CITIZEN.  WHO  THOUGHT  LIKE  OUR 
FRIEND  IN  THE  PICTURE.  THAT  THEY  WERE  SISSIFIED  ' 
THE  TREMENDOUS  GROWTH  OF  THIS  BRANCH  OF  THE  SERVICE  AND 
ITS  UNDOUBTED  VALUE  TO  THE  CITY  HAS  LONG-  SINCE  DISSIPATED 
THE  EARLY  PREJUDICE 


CHAPTER  IX 


WHAT  DO  YOU  LIKE  ABOUT  NEW  YORK  ? 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  hardened  Broad  way  ite,  "because  it  lets  me  alone. 
There's  just  as  much  fun  in  other  places;  but  it  all  has  to  be  explained  and  ac- 
counted for  forever  after.  Not  that  I'd  want  to  do  anything  I'd  be  ashamed  of ; 
but  it  gets  on  a  man's  nerves  to  feel  that  everybody  in  town  is  watching  him.  I'd 
just  as  soon  everybody  would  know  everything  there  is  to  know  about  me,  but  I  hate 
to  feel  that  it  matters." 

'T  like  the  city,"  said  a  minister  who  formerly  preached  up-State,  "because 
people  here  are  not  interested  in  one's  private  affairs.    I  insist  that  my  life  shall 

be  an  open  book.    I  smoke,  for  instance  I  used  to  smoke  in  ,  and  of  course  I 

did  it  openly  as  I  do  here.  The  people  were  broad  and  tolerant.  They  didn't  ob- 
ject. But  I  felt  that  whatever  I  said  or  wrote  was  pigeon-holed  in  all  their  minds 
as  the  ideas  of  the  minister  who  smokes.  I  like  New  York  because  it  doesn't  make 
those  distinctions." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  student  at  Columbia,  "because  it  is  unconventional. 
There  is  no  standard  of  conduct  here.  Each  person  is  allowed  to  go  his  own  way 
as  long  as  he  doesn't  break  any  of  the  ordinances;  and  there  are  enough  people 
going  each  day  to  make  your  own  way,  whatever  it  happens  to  be,  perfectly  respec- 
table. You  can't  follow  your  own  way  in  a  small  town.  You  can't  be  spon- 
taneous." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  vaudeville  monologist,  "because  it  is  conventional. 
In  small  towns  it  is  impossible  to  be  satisfied  with  the  gait  of  any  particular  set, 
and  people  get  into  the  habit  of  going  it  alone.  They  become  individualists,  each 
with  his  own  hobby  and  his  own  cherished  peculiarities.   The  result  is  that  it  takes 


[313] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


a  superman  to  fuse  them,  or  get  a  laugh  out  of  more  than  half  a  dozen  in  the  house 
at  once.  Here  in  New  York  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  spring  some  standard  joke 
fairly  well.  If  it  is  a  first-class  joke,  if  it  has  stood  the  test  of  years  and  attained  a 
standing  in  any  particular  set,  all  the  partisans  of  that  set  in  the  house  can  be  de- 
pended on  to  applaud  it.  Tliere  are  always  enough  people  in  each  set  on  Broadway 
to  make  any  one  of  the  old  gags  go  over;  but  in  Watertown  or  Elmira  you've  got 
to  be  scratching  for  new  ones  every  day.  I  wouldn't  dare  try  a  new  one  on  New 
York." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  Harlem  mother,  "because  it  is  so  safe  for  the  chil- 
dren. I  took  them  to  Lake  Champlain  last  summer  and  I  was  scared  every  minute. 
John  was  treed  by  a  cow ;  Sarah  almost  stepped  on  a  snake ;  the  boys  went  out  on 
the  lake  and  the  plug  came  out  of  the  boat;  Willie  was  nearly  killed  with  poison 
ivy,  and  there  were  foxes  and  hen-hawks  and  other  terrible  things  swooping  down 
on  the  farm  every  day  or  two.  The  children  are  playing  in  Central  Park  now  and 
my  mind  is  easy." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  housewife,  or  an  apartmentwife,  in  the  Bronx,  "be- 
cause I  can  be  outdoors  so  much.  When  I  lived  in  St.  Lawrence  County  it 
seemed  as  though  I  could  never  get  my  work  done.  When  I  wanted  anything  from 
the  store  I  had  to  wait  until  the  children  came  home  from  school  to  send  them.  It's 
nice  to  have  a  whole  house  with  sixteen  rooms;  but  when  you  have  to  heat  it  with 
coal  and  build  a  fire  every  time  you  want  some  warm  water,  and  kill  a  chicken 
yourself  every  time  you  want  one  for  dinner,  and  pick  its  feathers  and  clean  it  and 
sweep  up  the  mess  besides,  and  wash  about  forty  pans — well,  give  me  four  rooms 
and  an  opportunity  to  get  out  of  them  by  10  o'clock.  Then,  up  there,  you  could- 
n't go  out  at  all  when  it  rained,  because  you'd  stick  in  the  mud,  and  you  couldn't  go 
out  in  the  winter  because  the  snow  was  too  deep." 

"Wliy  do  you  live  in  New  York?"  I  asked  a  machinist  who  had  worked  at 
his  trade  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  United  States.  "You're  a  natural  rover. 
You  aren't  contented  here.  You're  always  kicking  about  conditions  and  ridiculing 
the  people  who  stand  for  them.  You  haven't  any  wife  or  family.  Why  don't  you 
get  out?" 

"I'm  going  to  hike,"  he  said,  "just  as  soon  as  I  get  acquainted;  but  there's  no 
sense  in  leaving  a  town  until  you  do.  It  took  me  six  weeks  to  squeeze  Los  An- 
geles dry;  but  you  don't  have  to  spend  more  than  four  hours  on  a  town  like  Fall 
River,  Mass.  Reckoning  on  the  same  schedule,  bo,  I'm  due  out  of  this  burg  about 
June  1,  1974.  It's  no  good,  of  course;  but  you  gotta  hand  it  to  the  town  for  being 
some  hard  to  unravel." 

"What  do  I  like  about  New  York?"  mused  a  tired-business-man,  who  was  re- 
freshing himself  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  a  Park  Row  cafe.  "Wliat  do  I  like 
about  new  York  better  than  any  other  places?  Let's  see — I'll  take  the  same 
— it  isn't  wise  to  mix  'em  up,  but  so  long's  I  stick  to  the  one  thing,  I  c'n  keep  it  up 

a  week.   D'yever  hear  the  one  they're  telling  about  what's  that,  what  do  I  like 

about  New  York  better  than  other  places?  Well,  let's  see.  "What  other  places  are 
there?" 


[314] 


What  Do  You  Like  about  New  York? 


"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  connoisseur  who  has  hved  everywhere,  "because  it 
is  the  only  place  there  is.  I  like  music:  New  York  is  the  only  place  I  can  hear  it 
when  I  want  to.  I  like  art:  New  York  is  the  only  place  I  can  be  sure  to  see  the 
greatest  pictures;  not  only  of  the  old  Masters,  but  the  new  ones,  just  as  fast  as  they 
come  along.  I  like  interesting  people :  New  York  is  the  place  where  those  who  are 
doing  things  in  the  literary  and  scientific  world  make  their  home.  I  like  variety, 
infinite  variety :  New  York  is  the  only  place  I  can  find  that.  I  like  the  whole  uni- 
verse, and  New  York  is  where  it  lives." 

"I  like  New  York  because  of  its  interest  in  little  things,"  was  the  unexpected 
summary  of  a  very  sober  citizen.  "Yup,  it's  the  little  things  that  count  here.  If 
the  whole  block  was  burning  up  you'd  always  find  a  crowd  watching  an  automatic 
do-funny  in  some  window  across  the  street.  New  Yorkers  can't  hear  the  elevated, 
and  stop  right  under  it  to  buy  toy  dogs  that  squeak  when  you  pull  their  tails.  And 
when  they  get  the  papers  they  pass  up  all  the  news  that  tells  how  the  nations  of 
earth  are  being  annihilated — to  see  how  the  Giants  are  coming  out." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  newspaper  reporter,  "because  it's  so  slow.  You 
fellows  here  don't  know  what  fast  work  is.  Why,  up  in  Syracuse,  I  used  to  cover 
eleven  courts,  two  or  three  strikes,  a  couple  of  theatres  and  a  fire  or  two  all  in  the 
same  day.  It  was  hot-foot  from  7.30  to  5  o'clock,  with  sinkers  and  coffee  on  the 
run  for  lunch.  If  you  were  out  ten  minutes  without  telephoning  they  notified  the 
police;  and  if  you  were  gone  half  an  hour  they  took  up  a  collection  for  flowers.  Do 
reporters  work  in  New  York?   Why,  some  of  them  are  actually  fat." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  college  professor,  "because  its  people  are  all  so  good- 
natured.  When  they  are  assaulted  and  battered  by  subway  guards,  their  hats 
smashed,  their  clothes  torn  and  their  wind  shut  off,  they  almost  always  grin.  When 
a  street  blows  up,  they  say:  'Gee,  what'U  happen  next?'  And  if  it  falls  into  the 
subway  they  all  seem  glad  that  it  lasted  as  long  as  it  did.  I  watched  a  crowd  going 
down  Seventh  Avenue  the  other  day.  That  the  avenue  was  impassable  occurred  to 
no  one.  One  pedestrian  fell  into  an  open  man-hole,  two  more  tripped  on  loose 
planks  and  plunged  headlong  into  dust  and  slivers,  three  or  four  stumbled  and 
went  lame,  but  nobody  swore.  It  might  work  for  progress  if  our  people  had  a 
little  more  temper;  but  their  good  humor  makes  them  fine  to  live  with." 

"I  like  New  York,"  said  a  novelist,  "because  it  is  the  only  place  on  earth 
where  I  can't  get  lonesome.  I  have  often  heard  that  the  average  person  doesn't 
find  any  social  life  in  New  York,  but  if  that  is  so,  it  is  because  the  average  person 
doesn't  feel  the  need  of  it.  The  mere  presence  of  people  everywhere  is  apt  to  dull 
one's  craving  for  personal  acquaintance.  I  am  well  aware  that  this  situation  is  full 
of  danger,  but  it  has  its  compensations.  It  accounts  for  New  Yorkers'  habit  of 
going  crazy  over  their  favorite  actresses  and  moving  picture  stars.  They  don't 
have  to  know  these  people  personally  to  love  them ;  and  they  get  to  liking  each 
other  in  some  such  far-off,  representative  way.  They  don't  get  acquainted,  but 
they  have  their  psychic  attachments;  and  everybody  knows,  as  soon  as  he  gets 
into  a  restaurant,  even  in  the  thirty-cent  table  d'hotes,  whether  it  is  patronized  by 
his  type  of  soul  or  not.   I  like  New  York  because  of  its  impersonal  social  life." 


[317] 


(iijiNii'SES  OF  Old  New  York 


"I  don't  like  New  York,"  said  a  woman  who  used  to  be  a  social  woi  ker  up- 
State.  "I  love  it.  I  never  could  fall  in  love  with  any  one  I  could  like.  It  was 
always  with  some  one  who  had  a  dreadful  fascination  for  me.  Men  don't  like  whis- 
key, but  it  fascinates  them. 

"New  York  isn't  comfortable.  It  isn't  sane.  It  isn't  fit  to  live  in.  Living 
here  is  just  a  habit,  a  bad  habit,  but  one  you  don't  want  to  break.  Why?  Just 
because  it  is  big,  that's  all:  Because  it's  big  and  terrible,  too  big  and  terrible  for 
any  one  to  do  anything  with;  something  that  holds  you  in  its  clutches  and  makes 
you  feel  your  own  helplessness. 

"New  York  is  something  you  can't  like  and  can't  escape  from. 

"I  hate  it.  But  I  love  it." 

— Charles  W.  Wood  in  N.  Y.  World. 

NEW  YORK  GREATLY  INCREASES  ITS  MANUFACTURING 

OUTPUT 

A  preliminary  statement  of  the  general  results  of  the  census  of  manufactures 
for  New  York  City  for  1914  has  been  issued  by  the  Bureau  of  the  Census  in  Wash- 
ington. The  population  at  the  census  of  1910  was  4,766,883,  and  it  is  estimated 
that  it  was  5,334,000  on  July  1,  1914. 

The  summary  shows  a  consistent  increase  in  the  census  of  1914  as  compared 
with  that  for  1909.  In  the  order  of  their  importance,  from  a  percentage  stand- 
point, the  increases  for  the  several  items  rank  as  follows:  Horse-power,  28.5  per 
cent.;  salaries,  25.4  per  cent.;  capital,  19.4  per  cent.;  salaried  employees,  19.1  per 
cent.;  number  of  establishments,  14.2  per  cent.;  value  added  by  manufacture,  13.6 
per  cent.;  value  of  products,  13.1  per  cent.;  materials,  12.7  per  cent.;  wages,  10.5 
per  cent.;  proprietors  and  firm  members,  8.1  per  cent.,  and  wage  earners,  5.7  per 
cent. 

The  capital  invested,  as  reported  in  1914,  was  $1,626,104,000,  a  gain  of  $264,- 
244,000,  or  19.4  per  cent.,  over  $1,361,860,000  in  1909.  The  average  capital  per 
establishment  was  approximately  $55,000  in  1914  and  $53,000  in  1909. 

The  cost  of  materials  used  was  $1,229,155,000  in  1914,  as  against  $1,090,- 
783,000  in  1909,  an  increase  of  $138,372,000  or  12.7  per  cent.  The  average  cost  of 
materials  per  establishment  was  approximately  $41,000  in  1914  and  $42,000  in 
1909. 

A  great  change  in  the  redistricting  of  the  cloak  and  suit  business  marked  the 
year  1916.  This  business  proved  detrimental  to  the  retail  section  close  to  which  the 
factories  gathered.  By  tacit  consent  they  are  now  located  below  33rd  Street  west 
of  Sixth  and  east  of  Third  Avenues. 


WHAT  A  GREAT  BRITISHER  THINKS  OF  NEW  YORK 

(From  a  recent  private  letter  from  Lord  Northcliffe) 

If  I  had  to  live  anywhere  else,  I  would  prefer  New  York  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington  Square  with  a 
home  on  the  Hudson  near  a  good  golf  course. 


[318] 


Ifflabtsint  Aurmtr  at  45tli  &trrrt 


THE  ORIGINAL  MANHATTAN  ATHLETIC  CLUB  AND  THE  NORTH  END 
OF  THE  OLD  GRAND  CENTRAL  STATION.  NOW  OCCUPIED  BY  TIFFANY 
STUDIOS 


Our  Great  Library 


OUR  GREAT  LIBRARY 
EARLY  DAYS  OF  THE  ASTOR 

Solid  Subjects  Most  in  Demand— Burton's  "Anatomy  of  Melancholy"  a  Favorite 

H.  M.  LEYDENBERG,  Chief  Reference  Librarian,  New  York  Public  Library 

The  trials  of  early  librarians  in  New  York's  first  institution  of  the  kind  and 
the  seriousness  with  which  the  institution  was  taken  are  reflected  in  an  article  on 
the  history  of  the  New  York  Public  Library  published  by  Henry  M.  Leydenberg. 
chief  reference  librarian,  in  the  Library's  July  Bulletin.  The  first  book  called  for 
when  the  library  doors  were  thrown  open  to  the  public  was  a  work  on  astronomy. 
Burton's  "Anatomy  of  Melancholy"  was  also  a  favorite  and  a  work  on  medicine 
was  among  the  first  three  publications  asked  for  by  the  students  who  were  the  first 
to  avail  themselves  of  John  Jacob  Astor's  gift  to  the  people  of  the  city. 

Joseph  Green  Cogswell,  a  New  England  school  teacher,  who  was  associated 
with  Mr.  Astor  in  the  enterprise,  bought  most  of  the  books  and  was  "behind  the 
desk"  when  the  institution  was  opened,  wrote  that  he  was  in  despair  and  physically 
and  mentally  weary  because  of  the  varied  questions  with  which  applicants  for 
books,  unused  to  the  privileges  of  a  public  library,  had  bombarded  him  during  the 
first  few  days. 

Mr.  Leydenberg  writes  of  the  growth  of  the  Astor  Library,  the  Lenox  Li- 
brary, the  Tilden  Trust,  and  the  New  York  Free  Circulating  Library,  and  other 
circulating  libraries.  "Of  these,  and  of  other  elements,"  he  says,  "is  composed  the 
New  York  Public  Library,  and  it,  in  its  earliest  form,  was  made  possible  by,  and 
came  into  being  because  of,  the  devotion  at  once  unselfish,  faithful,  far-sighted,  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Astor  Library,  the  Lenox  Library,  and  the  Tilden  Trust." 

START  OF  LIBRARY 

"First  of  these  efforts  in  point  of  time,"  he  continues,  "was  the  Astor  Lib- 
rary, in  inception  and  formation  the  work  of  John  Jacob  Astor  and  Joseph  Green 
Cogswell — a  New  York  merchant  and  a  New  England  school  teacher.  Astor  was 
characterized  at  this  time  by  Washington  Irving,  who  saw  much  of  him  while  work- 
ing on  Astoria,  as  a  strong-minded  man,  restive  in  retirement  because  of  a  lack 
of  creative  occupation.  Born  in  1763,  he  reached  his  seventy-fifth  birthday  in 
1837,  and  had  undoubtedly  given  no  little  thought  as  to  the  disposition  of  his  prop- 
erty and  to  a  fitting  testimonial  to  be  left  to  his  adopted  country  by  its  richest  citi- 
zen.   Cogswell's  part  in  shaping  this  testimonial  can  best  be  told  in  his  own  words. 

"His  first  mention  of  Astor  is  in  a  letter  to  his  friend,  C.  S.  Davies,  of  Port- 
land, Me.,  on  January  2,  1838: 

"  'During  my  present  visit  to  New  York,  I  have  seen  a  great  deal  of  old  Mr. 
Astor,  having  dined  with  him  twice  at  his  own  house,  and  three  times  at  his  son's. 
He  is  not  the  mere  accumulator  of  dollars,  as  I  had  supposed  him ;  he  talks  well  on 


[321] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


many  subjects  and  shows  a  great  interest  in  the  arts  and  hterature.  I  meet  Hal- 
leek  there  often,  and  some  other  pleasant  visitors.' 

"Six  months  later  he  wrote  to  George  Ticknor  on  July  20: 
"  'Early  in  January  Mr.  Astor  consulted  me  about  an  appropriation  of  some 
three  or  four  hundred  thousand  dollars,  which  he  intended  to  leave  for  public  pur- 
poses, and  I  urged  him  to  give  it  for  a  library,  which  I  finally  brought  him  to 
agree  to  do,  and  I  have  been  at  work  ever  since,  settling  all  the  points  which  have 
arisen  in  the  progress  of  the  affair.  It  is  now  so  nearly  arranged  that  he  has 
promised  me  to  sign  the  last  paper  to-day.  Had  I  not  foreseen  that  this  object 
would  never  have  been  effected  unless  some  one  had  been  at  the  old  gentleman's 
elbow,  to  push  him  on,  I  should  have  left  New  York  long  since.  It  is  not  made 
public  at  present,  but  I  think  it  will  be  in  a  week  or  two.' 

"Astor's  plan,  in  May,  1839,  evidently  was  a  gift  outright  and  forthwith; 
within  the  next  three  months  he  changed  his  mind  and,  by  a  third  codicil  to  his 
will  on  August  22,  set  aside  four  hundred  thousand  dollars  as  a  bequest  for  the 
establishment  of  a  public  library  'to  be  accessible  at  all  reasonable  hours  and 
times,  for  general  use,  free  of  expense  to  persons  resorting  thereto,  subject  only  to 
such  control  and  regulations,  as  the  trustees  may  from  time  to  time  exercise  and 
establish  for  general  convenience.' 

SEES  MR.  ASTOR 
"On  September  5,  1839,  Cogswell  wrote  to  Ticknor: 

"  'Mr.  W.  B.  Astor  [son  of  John  Jacob  Astor]  came  in  yesterday  to  ask  me 
if  I  could  leave  home  for  four  months,  to  see  his  son  well  placed  abroad.  My  an- 
swer was  "if  your  father  will  give  me  a  commission  to  buy  books  enough  to  make 
a  fair  beginning  for  the  library,  and  at  the  same  time  authorize  me  to  procure  a 
plan  abroad,  and  look  into  the  subject  generally,  I  will  go."  Accordingly  I  have 
been  to  Hell  Gate  this  morning  to  see  the  old  gentleman,  who  answered  that  he 
was  ready,  and  desirous  of  going  on,  having  completed  his  new  codicil,  by  which 
he  has  increased  the  appropriation  to  $400,000.  As  yet,  however,  I  have  no  com- 
mission from  him.'  " 

Mr.  Cogswell  spent  the  winter  of  1839-1840  in  Europe,  reporting  on  his  re- 
turn that  he  had  an  agreeable  trip,  but  had  not  succeeded  in  one  of  the  objects  of 
his  trip:  securing  the  Boutourlin  collection,  which  had  been  in  the  market  since 
about  1831.  It  was  held  at  fifteen  thousand  pounds,  and  was  brought  to  the  ham- 
mer about  the  time  he  reached  Paris.  He  could  find  no  one  with  authority  to  stop 
the  sale,  and  came  back  disappointed. 

Upon  his  return,  he  laid  before  Mr.  Astor  in  writing  his  project  for  forming 
a  catalogue  of  100,000  volumes,  for  a  well-digested,  systematic  library.  Mr.  As- 
tor expressed  himself  as  well  satisfied,  and  entrusted  the  work  to  Mr.  Cogswell, 
who  in  the  meantime  was  urging  Mr.  Astor  to  make  the  gift  during  his  lifetime.  In 
that  he  met  no  success. 

Thus  matters  stood  for  the  next  six  years,  Cogswell  living  with  or  near  Mr. 


[322] 


Our  Great  Library 


Astor  and  working  on  plans  for  the  library  as  opportunity  offered.  Mr.  Astor 
died  on  Tuesday,  March  29,  1848.  His  will  was  admitted  to  probate  on  April  3, 
and  proved  on  the  9th  following.  The  first  meeting  of  the  trustees  was  called  by 
W.  B.  Astor  on  May  20,  1848,  at  his  home,  587  Broadway.  At  the  second  meet- 
ing on  June  1  following  the  name  of  "The  Astor  Library"  was  chosen  for  the  in- 
stitution. On  September  28,  a  committee  recommended  as  a  site  the  eastern  side 
of  Lafayette  Place. 

Mr.  Cogswell  was  authorized  on  October  28, 1848,  to  go  to  Europe  to  purchase 
books  to  the  value  of  $20,000.  The  distracted  political  state  of  Europe  at  the  time 
seemed  to  offer  peculiar  advantages  for  purchases  at  low  rates,  a  belief  fully  justi- 
fied by  Cogswell's  success  on  this  first  visit  for  the  library.  At  the  sixth  meeting  of 
the  trustees  on  November  1,  just  before  he  sailed,  he  reported  that  he  had  pur- 
chased, during  Mr.  Astor's  lifetime,  books  to  the  amount  of  $2,500,  which  volumes 
were  stored  in  five  cases  in  the  building  at  587  Broadway. 

PRIZE  FOR  PLAN 

At  this  time  the  library  had  in  its  catalogue  more  than  10,000  volumes.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  trustees  on  March  28,  1849,  Mr.  Cogswell  was  authorized  to  ad- 
vertise for  plans  for  the  library  building  and  to  offer  premiums  of  $300  for  the 
most  satisfactory  plan  and  $200  for  the  next  in  merit.  The  advertisement  in  the 
Evening  Post  of  March  30  called  for  plans  for  a  building  of  sixty-five  feet  front 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  in  depth ;  they  were  to  be  submitted  to  Mr.  Cogs- 
well at  587  Broadway  on  or  before  April  24  following. 

The  limitation  of  the  cost  of  the  building  at  $75,000  caused  no  little  embarrass- 
ment; the  trustees  wanted  a  building  to  hold  100,000  volumes  at  the  outset,  to 
afford  convenient  accommodation  for  annual  additions,  to  be  fireproof,  and  of  the 
necessary  solidity — requirements  by  no  means  easily  obtained  for  this  sum. 

In  April,  1849,  the  trustees  rented  for  two  years  the  dwelling  house  at  32  Bond 
Street  for  temporary  custody  and  exhibition  of  the  books  they  had  purchased,  a 
portion  of  which  had  been  received  from  Europe  and  stored  for  several  weeks  by 
the  owners  of  the  vessels  in  which  they  had  been  imported.  The  volumes  were  ar- 
ranged at  32  Bond  Street  on  temporary  shelves  and  in  cases,  filling  the  whole 
lower  story  and  part  of  the  second. 

On  February  19,  1851,  the  trustees  authorized  Mr.  Cogswell  to  make  a  second 
foreign  trip,  to  buy  to  the  amount  of  about  $25,000.  He  sailed  soon  after  for  Eng- 
land, and  went  at  once  to  London,  where  he  found  prices  had  advanced  so  ma- 
terially that  he  determined  to  try  Continental  book  marts  before  making  extensive 
English  purchases.  During  the  summer  he  scoured  France,  Italy,  the  Nether- 
lands, Denmark,  Scandinavia,  Germany — this  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  The  result 
was  an  addition  of  28,000  volumes,  secured  for  $30,000,  bringing  the  total  of  the 
collection  to  about  55,000  or  60,000  volumes,  and  the  total  outlay  to  about  $65,000. 
On  his  return,  in  November,  1851,  he  spent  the  rest  of  the  year  checking  and  shelv- 
ing his  purchases. 


[825  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


OBTAINS  25,000  BOOKS 

By  November,  1852,  it  was  evident  that  the  building  would  not  be  in  condition 
to  receive  the  books  for  several  months,  and  he  was  again  authorized  to  try  the  Eu- 
ropean markets,  $25,000  being  put  at  his  disposal.  He  sailed  early  in  December, 
and  remained  abroad  until  March  following,  spending  his  time  mainly  in  Lon- 
don, Paris,  Brussels,  Hamburg,  and  Berlin.  The  result  was  the  addition  of  about 
25,000  volumes,  including  3,000  volumes  on  mathematics. 

The  end  of  1853  saw  the  building  completed,  and  the  books  in  place.  The  con- 
tract for  erection  had  been  let  January  2,  1850,  and  the  cornerstone  laid  March  14, 
following.  The  building  four  years  later  was  opened  January  9, 1854,  stocked  with 
between  80,000  and  90,000  volumes,  purchased  at  a  cost  of  about  $100,000,  of  which 
sum  $3,000  had  been  furnished  by  the  founder  during  his  lifetime,  and  $7,500 
represented  a  portion  of  a  credit  of  £2,500  provided  by  William  B.  Astor  for  pur- 
chase of  works  on  the  industrial  arts. 

Mr.  Cogswell's  own  impressions  of  these  first  days  are  given  in  a  letter  to 
Ticknor  of  January  18: 

"The  library  has  been  open  now  about  ten  days,  and  harassing  days  they  have 
been  to  me — one  unbroken  string  of  questions  from  morning  till  night,  requiring 
constant  and  wearying  repetition  of  the  same  answers.  At  nine  a.  m.  I  take  my 
stand  inside  the  railing  and  there  I  remain  as  a  fixture  until  half-past  four.  They 
all  look  wistfully  at  the  books  and  ask,  'Can't  we  go  into  the  alcoves  and  up  to  the 
second  story?'  and,  when  I  answer,  *No,'  they  break  out  into  a  railing  accusation. 
But  it's  no  use,  I  tell  them,  'You  can't  do  it.'  I  know  not  what  I  should  have  done 
if  I  had  not  hit  upon  the  plan  of  a  close  corporation.  It  would  have  crazed  me  to 
have  seen  a  crowd  ranging  lawlessly  among  the  books,  and  throwing  everything 
into  confusion." 

The  remainder  of  the  month  gave  time  for  the  novelty  to  wear  off  for  the 
sightseeing  public  and  to  reduce  visitors,  Avhen  it  was  opened  for  the  use  of  books, 
to  the  students  for  whom  it  had  been  collected.  The  story  of  its  first  real  use  is 
thus  told  by  the  Morning  Courier  of  February  9: 

In  accordance  with  a  previous  announcement  in  two  of  the  city  morning  papers, 
it  was  opened  for  use  on  the  first  inst.  at  10  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  hour  named  in  the 
notice.  Several  persons  soon  came  in  and  asked  for  books,  and  the  proper  business 
of  the  library  was  immediately  entered  upon.  The  first  books  called  for  were 
"Woodhouse's  "Astronomy,"  Foelix's  "Traite  du  Droit  International,"  Fronti- 
nus's  "De  Acquieductibus,  Asiatic  Researches,"  "Abernethy  on  Diseases  of  the 
Stomach,"  Cruveilhier's  "Anatomic  Pathologique,"  Moore's  "Poems,"  MuUer's 
"Science  of  War,"  Goldsmith's  "Works,"  Cuvier's  "Animal  Kingdom,"  Strutt's 
"Sports  and  Pastimes,"  Chambers's  "English  Literature,"  etc. 


PATIENCE  REWARDED 

The  United  States  has  just  paid  to  his  estate  (Sept.  16,  1916)  the  $207.92  due 
John  Howard  Payne^  late  consul  at  Tunis.   There's  no  place  like  home. 


[326] 


Jfirat  Sriti  an  an  iEIplta^p^  JSoab.  IBGT 


TALK  ABOUT  ORVILLE  WRIGHT  AND  COUNT  ZEPPELIN  i  THEIR  AC- 
COMPLISHMENTS ARE  AS  NOTHING  COMPARED  TO  THE  HAIR-RAISING 
TRIP  OF  CHARLES  T  HARVEY  ON  THE  FIRST  ELEVATED  LINE  ON 
GREENWICH  STREET  TO  SHOW  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THIS  TOWN  THAT 
THE  TRAIN  WOULD  NOT  JUMP  THE  TRACK!  IT  WAS  THEN  CALLED 
THE  WEST  SIDE  AND  YONKERS  PATENT  RAILWAY  COMPANY  BUT 
WAS  POPULARLY  KNOWN  AS  THE  GILBERT  ELEVATED  RAILWAY 
IT  RAN  FROM  FOURTEENTH  STREET  TO  MORRIS  ON  GREENWICH 
STREET.  AND  WAS  OPENED  SHORTLY  AFTER  THE  SUCCESSFUL 
DEMONSTRATION  GIVEN  ABOVE.  ON  ANOTHER  PAGE  WE  SHOW 
THE  ROAD  IN  OPERATION  A  YEAR  LATER 

THOMAS  GEREHART,  ONE  OF  THE  PRESENT  OFFICIALS  OF  THE  IN- 
TERBOROUGH  SUBWAY,  IS  SHOWN  TO  THE  RIGHT  OF  THE  POLICE 
OFFICER     HE  IS  STILL  IN  THE  ACTIVE  SERVICE  OF  THE  ROAD. 

FROM    THE   COl  1  FCTION    OF   MH    FRANK  MCDLEY 


One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Years  of  Commerce 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  YEARS  OF  COMMERCE 

IN  NEW  YORK 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  soon  to  Celebrate  its  Organization  in  1768. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  is  one  of  New  York's  very  oldest  institutions.  In 
fact,  it  is  older  than  the  Republic  itself.  Organized  in  1768  when  the  city  was  in 
its  infancy,  it  was  the  natural  outgrowth  of  the  rapidly  developing  commercial  in- 
terests of  the  city.  Although  New  York  had  attained  considerable  importance  as 
a  commercial  centre,  it  had  not  yet  given  evidence  of  becoming  the  pre-eminent  and 
imperial  city  of  the  continent.  It  may  be  supposed,  however,  that  some  of  the 
members  of  that  early  Chamber  of  Commerce  must  have  had  dreams  of  the  future 
greatness  and  importance  of  the  little  bustling  town  which  was  spreading  so  rapidly 
on  both  shores  of  Manliattan  Island. 

Since  the  day  of  its  organization  in  1768  the  Chamber  has  always  commanded 
the  services  of  the  foremost  names  in  mercantile  life  in  the  community:  John  Cru- 
ger,  Isaac  Low,  John  Alsop,  Charles  McEvers,  Elias  Desbrosses,  Robert  Lenox, 
Philip  Livingston,  Archibald  Gracie  and  James  G.  King  were  not  more  honored 
in  New  York  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  than  are  to-day  Eugenius  H.  Outer- 
bridge,  Seth  Low,  Jacob  H.  Schiff,  Paul  M.  Warburg,  J.  Pierpont  Morgan, 
George  B.  Cortelyou,  Henry  C.  Swords  and  Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  or  any  of  a 
score  of  other  names  that  could  be  selected  from  among  the  members. 

In  the  work  which  preceded  the  recent  change  in  our  building  laws  whereby 
the  growth  of  the  city  will  henceforth  follow  a  definite  and  rational  plan  the 
Chamber's  Special  Committee  on  Height  of  Buildings,  Messrs.  Alfred  E.  Marling 
(the  famous  real  estate  authority),  Howard  C.  Smith,  William  R.  Willcox  (late  of 
the  Public  Service  Commission),  John  W  T.  Nichols,  Alfred  R.  Whitney,  Jr.,  and 
Theodore  Hetzler  (the  new  President  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Bank)  rendered  valu- 
able service  to  the  city;  and  the  Committee  on  the  American  Merchant  Marine, 
which  includes  Mr.  Irving  T.  Bush,  who  revolutionized  our  water  front  terminals, 
as  Chairman,  with  Messrs.  William  Harris  Douglas,  Jacob  W.  Miller,  George  S. 
Dearborn  and  J.  Temple  Gwatlmiey  (of  the  banking  house  of  Redmond  &  Co.) 
as  associates,  the  Chamber's  assistance  in  this  direction  will  make  itself  felt.  No 
problem  is  harder  of  solution  and  none  more  important  to  the  business  of  the  whole 
country,  and  their  future  deliberations  will  be  closely  studied. 

In  the  short  space  at  our  command  it  is  practically  impossible  to  adequately 
describe  all  the  activities  in  which  this  venerable  society  is  engaged,  and  yet  the 
labors  of  the  Chamber  are  so  far-reaching  and  so  vital  that  the  workings  of  the 
machinery  by  which  such  valuable  results  are  obtained  constitutes  an  important 
item  in  the  annals  of  New  York.  For  a  century  and  a  half  it  has  stood  for  all 
that  is  best  in  the  commercial  life  of  New  York ;  has  rendered  signal  service  to  the 
country  as  a  whole  upon  many  memorable  occasions.  It  is  one  of  the  very  few  or- 
ganizations that  have  come  down  to  us  with  an  unbroken  record  from  pre-Revolu- 
tionary  times,  and  never  in  its  career  has  it  been  stronger  or  more  useful  to  the 


[829  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


community  than  it  is  to-day.  Its  dinners  have  always  been  the  most  notable  in  the 
country.  The  Government  has  frequently  seized  upon  this  opportunity  to  permit 
its  most  important  minister  to  announce  to  the  country  through  the  Chamber  its 
position  on  any  of  the  great  problems  of  the  day.  The  approaching  celebration 
of  its  one  hundred  and  fiftieth  birthday  will  doubtless  see  an  assemblage  of  notable 
men  such  as  could  not  be  gathered  together  elsewhere  in  the  country  except  for 
such  an  occasion  as  this. 

No  avenue  of  usefulness  seems  to  have  been  neglected  by  the  various  committees 
serving  the  Chamber.  There  is  one  on  the  National  Guard  and  Naval  Militia,  of 
which  Major  Francis  G.  Landon  is  chairman.  Mr.  Eben  E.  Olcott,  himself  a  steam- 
boat man,  looks  after  the  interests  of  seafaring  men.  Mr.  Cleveland  H.  Dodge, 
philanthropist,  Founder  of  the  "Road  Up  Tamworth"  in  memory  of  Grover 
Cleveland,  George  F.  Baker,  Jr.,  of  "Fort  Sherman,"  Mr.  Albert  H.  Wiggin  of 
the  Chase  National  Bank,  to  mention  only  a  few,  are  on  the  Committee  of  Finance 
and  Currency. 

Mr.  Willard  D.  Straight,  organizer  of  the  unique  India  House,  is  the  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Commerce  and  Revenue  Laws,  with  Charles  A. 
Schieren,  son  of  a  late  Mayor  of  Brooklyn;  John  V.  Jewell,  J.  Louis  Schafer, 
Ludwig  Nissen,  William  E.  Peck  and  Lincoln  Cromwell  as  associates. 

Mr.  Isaac  N.  Seligman,  print  collector,  and  of  the  great  banking  firm  of  J.  & 
W.  Seligman,  heads  the  State  and  Municipal  Taxation,  with  Cornelius  N.  Bliss,  Jr., 
son  of  the  great  drygoods  merchant ;  Samuel  Sloan  of  the  great  Farmers  Loan  & 
Trust,  James  H.  Post,  Alfred  E.  Marhng,  and  Leonor  F.  Loree  of  the  great  Union 
Pacific  as  associates.  The  Committee  on  Internal  Trade  and  Improvements  is 
headed  by  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Fairchild,  with  ISIessrs.  William  McCarroll,  James  O. 
Bloss,  Willard  V.  King  and  Charles  A.  Sherman,  the  lawyer.  On  Harbor  and 
Shipping  we  find  Irving  T.  Bush,  Charles  D.  Norton,  formerly  of  Chicago  and 
Washington,  Lloyd  B.  Sanderson,  John  F.  Wallace,  Laurence  B.  Stoddart,  Al- 
bert Strauss,  Clarence  H.  Kelsey,  who  reconstructed  the  Title  business;  while  on 
the  Insurance  the  Chamber  is  fortunate  in  having  JNIr.  Darwin  P.  Kingsley,  Presi- 
dent of  the  New  York  Life,  whose  speeches  on  current  topics  are  widely  read, 
Messrs.  George  E.  Ide  of  the  Home  Insurance,  Hendon  Chubb,  Frank  E.  Law, 
John  B.  Lunger  and  Ellis  G.  Richards.  On  Arbitration,  Mr.  Charles  L.  Bern- 
heimer  is  chairman,  with  Messrs.  Charles  D.  Hilles,  chairman  of  the  Republican 
Coinmittee,  Frank  A.  Ferris,  George  A.  Zabriskie,  George  B.  Hodgman  of  the 
oldest  rubber  garment  house  in  the  country,  Victor  Koechl  and  Thomas  F.  Victor. 
On  Commercial  Education  we  have  Mr.  Howard  C.  Smith  as  chairman,  with 
Messrs.  William  H.  Nichols  of  the  great  General  Chemical  Company,  Julio  F. 
Sorzano,  Alexander  C.  Humphreys,  Elihu  C.  Church,  J.  Louis  Schaefer  and  Lio- 
nel Sutro  of  Sutro  Bros.  &  Co.  A  special  Board  of  Trustees  has  charge  of  the 
Chamber's  own  real  estate,  and  as  they  own  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  classic 
buildings  in  New  York,  remarkable  not  only  for  its  exterior  but  for  its  wonderful 
interior  construction,  this  committee  naturally  is  important,  and  is  composed  of 
Eugenius  H.  Outerbridge  (President  of  the  Chamber),  chairman  ex-ofiicio;  T. 


[330] 


Mtpot  of  tljp  i^ubanu  SStuw  SatlroaJi  at  (Eliambpra  S»trprt  mb  Wtst  Sroaiiiuay: 


IBBn 


THE  MAIN  TERMINAL  WAS  AT  30ih  STREET  AND  ELEVENTH  AVENUE 
FROM  THAT  POINT  PASSENGERS  CONTINUED  THE  DOWNTOWN  JOUR- 
NEY IN  LONG  HORSE-CARS  WHICH  BECAME  KNOWN  AS  THE  DOLLY 
VARDEN    CARS.    THE  GERKEN  BUILDING  NOW  COVERS  THIS  SITE 


One  Hundred  and  Fifty  Years  of  Commerce 


DeWitt  Cuyler,  Jacob  H.  Schiff,  George  F.  Baker,  A.  Barton  Hepburn  and  Au- 
gustus D.  Juilliard. 

Messrs.  Henry  M.  Randall,  Marcus  H.  Tracy  and  Jacob  W.  Miller  look  out 
for  the  interests  of  Pilots;  and  Workmen's  Compensation  legislation  is  under  the 
care  of  Messrs.  Edmund  Dwight,  Frank  E.  Law,  Waldo  H.  Marshall,  Otto  M. 
Eidlitz  and  others.  The  Conservation  of  State  Waters,  Lands  and  Forests  also 
comes  in  for  attention  by  the  Chamber,  and  Messrs.  Charles  N.  Chadwick,  H.  Ho- 
bart  Porter,  Franklin  P.  Duryea,  Charles  W.  Carpenter  and  Lincoln  Cromwell 
have  this  subject  specially  in  charge;  and  the  great  problems  arising  from  ship- 
ments during  the  present  European  conflict  have  called  for  an  unusually  large 
committee,  including  Messrs.  T.  Ashley  Sparks,  Frank  Trumbull,  Walter  B.  Pol- 
lock, J.  Parker  Kirlin  and  Charles  C.  Burlingham.  The  question  of  Industrial  Un- 
employment is  also  one  of  the  Chamber's  self-imposed  tasks,  and  a  special  commit- 
tee, of  which  Mr.  Harry  B.  Thayer  is  chairman,  with  Messrs.  Arthur  Williams, 
General  Manager  of  the  Edison  Companj^  Donald  Scott,  Jesse  Isidor  Straus  of 
-R.  H.  Macy  &  Co.  and  Clinton  L.  Rossiter.  And  last,  but  not  least,  the  Charity 
Fund  of  the  Chamber  is  looked  after  by  Messrs.  Outerbridge,  Delano,  Low  and 
Kremer. 

In  reading  over  this  imposing  list  of  names  and  recalling  the  fact  that  ser- 
vices of  this  nature  are  rendered  entirely  without  any  thought  of  compensation, 
it  is  quite  apparent  that  public  spirit  is  far  from  dead  in  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. The  best  traditions  of  this  old  institution  were  never  more  in  evidence; 
its  members  never  more  active.  On  the  auspicious  occasion  soon  to  be  reached,  we 
but  echo  the  sentiments  of  all  New  Yorkers  in  wishing  the  Chamber  many  happy 
returns  of  the  day. 

EVERETT  L.  WARNER :  A  RISING  YOUNG  PAINTER 

OF  NEW  YORK 

Among  the  young  men  who  are  rapidly  achieving  great  reputations,  the  work 
of  Mr.  Warner  takes  its  place  in  the  first  rank. 

Mr.  Warner's  best  work  depicts  familiar  scenes  in  our  great  city,  preferably 
views  showing  old  and  half-forgotten  streets,  like  Vesey,  Washington,  or  West,  be- 
hind which  tower  the  massive  skyscrapers  of  the  Woolworth,  Singer  or  Municipal 
Building.  With  these  in  the  shadowy  background,  the  brilliantly  colored  old  brick 
buildings,  with  their  green  shutters,  make  a  striking  contrast.  His  view  of  West 
Street  gained  a  prize  last  spring,  while  some  other  paintings  not  yet  exhibited  will 
further  enhance  his  reputation. 

The  noble  painting  which  forms  our  frontispiece.  Battery  Park,  is  not  yet 
finished  to  the  taste  of  the  artist.  It  is  a  large  work,  about  three  feet  by  five,  and 
would  make  a  striking  centrepiece  in  such  a  building,  for  instance,  as  the  Whitehall, 
which  is  so  admirably  shown  in  this  painting. 

Mr.  Warner  has  a  studio  in  the  famed  artist  colony  in  West  Sixty-seventh 


[333] 


Glimpses  or  Old  New  York 


Street  but  spends  part  of  the  time  in  old  Lyme  in  the  summer.  Quite  a  number 
of  his  paintings  are  in  museums  througliout  the  country. 

Of  the  several  paintings  of  New  York  City  scenes  by  Mr.  Warner,  the  Toledo 
Museum  has  "Along  the  River  Front";  the  Corcoran  Art  Gallery,  "IJroadway  on 
a  Rainy  Evening,"  a  view  of  Times  Square  when  the  Pabst  Building  stood  where 
the  Times  Building  now  is;  the  Syracuse  Museum  has  two,  one  a  street  scene  at 
the  corner  of  Canal  and  Hudson  Streets,  called  "The  Poor  iSIan's  Club,"  show- 
ing a  saloon,  etc.  The  Pan-American  officials  at  San  Francisco  awarded  him  a  sil- 
ver medal  for  his  picture,  "The  Brooklyn  Bridge,"  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
artist.  Other  works  are  in  the  Pennsylvania  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  the  Rhode 
Island  School  of  Design,  I^ouisville  Public  Library,  Boston  Art  Museum  and 
New  York  Public  Library. 

The  view  of  Battery  Park  which  serves  as  our  frontispiece  will  soon  be  com- 
pleted, and  no  doubt  will  be  speedily  purchased  by  some  discerning  connoisseur. 

A  FAMOUS  ARTIST  OF  OLD  NEW  YORK  :  EDWARD  L.  HENRY 

In  the  galleries  of  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art  there  hangs  a  painting 
of  the  old  Dutch  church  which  formerly  stood  on  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  Wil- 
liam Streets  till  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1868.  This  painting  was  one  of  the  very 
few  selected  by  the  directors  from  a  bequest  made  by  a  friend,  and  is  a  tribute  of 
the  highest  character  to  the  excellence  of  the  work  of  this  famous  artist,  whose 
paintings,  not  only  of  old  New  York  but  of  many  Colonial  subjects,  are  well 
known  to  art-lovers  the  world  over. 

Mr.  Henry's  best  known  picture,  however,  is  no  doubt  St.  John's  Chapel  and 
Park,  which  he  painted  several  years  before  the  beautiful  enclosure  was  destroyed 
to  accommodate  the  New  York  Central  freight  depot.  ]\Ir.  Klackner  reproduced  this 
picture  in  photogra^al^e  and  it  enjo5'ed  a  large  sale,  making  many  new  admirers  for 
the  artist. 

Mr.  Henry  has  lived  and  worked  in  New  York  for  nearly  half  a  century  and 
is  among  the  few  remaining  members  of  that  brilliant  group  which  included 
George  Inness,  Elihu  Vedder,  J.  Q.  A.  Ward,  Edwin  A.  Abbey,  J.  G.  Brown, 
Ralph  Albert  Blakelock,  whose  tragedy  has  recenth^  come  to  light,  and  others. 

Mr.  Henry  spends  his  summers  at  his  beautiful  country  place  perched  on  the 
top  of  the  Shawangunk  JNIountains,  where  he  has  a  remarkably  fine  collection  of 
old  carriages,  costumes,  military  uniforms,  etc.,  all  of  which  were  in  actual  service 
in  bygone  days  and  serve  to  reproduce  for  us  the  customs  and  scenes  of  our  fore- 
fathers in  the  wonderful  historical  paintings  produced  by  him. 

Mr.  Henry  is  now  enjoying  an  honored  and  peaceful  old  age.  Throughout  all 
his  career  he  has  remained  the  modest,  unassuming  gentleman  of  the  old  school 
that  he  is.  Unspoiled  by  success,  unaffected  by  unstinted  praise,  he  is  to-day  one 
of  the  most  delightful  of  men  and  numbers  among  his  intimates  some  of  the  best 
known  people  in  the  country.    His  studio  is  constantly  \Tisited  by  many  well- 


[334] 


A  Famous  Artist  of  Old  New  York 


known  people,  and  his  home  in  Cragsmoor  is  the  Mecca  for  many  celebrities  in  all 
walks  of  life. 

Here  Mrs.  Henry  dispenses  a  hospitality  of  rare  delight,  and  "the  Henrys," 
as  they  are  affectionately  known,  are  the  special  care  of  the  whole  neighborhood. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Inness,  Jr.,  near  neighbors,  are  frequent  and  welcome 
visitors. 

His  library  of  books  and  manuscripts  relating  to  old  New  York  contains  many 
items  of  rare  value,  and  a  recent  announcement  tells  us  that  this  interesting  col- 
lection will  be  sold  at  auction  this  winter  through  his  friend  Mr.  Kirby  in  Madison 
Square. 

THE  OLDEST  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  IN  THE 
STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 

The  Veteran  Corps  of  Artillery  of  the  State  of  New  York.  The  Vet- 
eran Corps  of  Artillery  of  the  State  of  New  York  was  instituted  in  New  York 
City,  November  25,  1790,  exclusively  by  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  War  of  the 
Revolution,  and  was  duly  confirmed  as  a  separate  corps  in  the  organized  militia 
of  the  State  by  Governor  George  Clinton,  March  3,  1791,  Congress,  in  its  Militia 
Laws  of  1792,  1874,  1903  and  May  27,  1908,  enacted  that  it  should  retain  "accus- 
tomed privileges"  as  a  component  part  of  the  organized  militia,  supplemental  to 
the  National  Guard,  and  the  status  of  the  corps,  as  part  of  the  active  militia,  has 
also  been  embodied  in  several  State  statutes.  When  composed  wholly  of  Revolu- 
tionary veterans,  it  was  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  June  25  to 
July  2,  1812,  and  September  2,  1814,  to  March  2,  1815,  and  afterward  recruited 
exclusively  from  veterans  of  the  War  of  1812,  until  1890,  when  the  surviving  vet- 
eran original  members  amended  their  regulations  to  admit  male  descendants  of 
original  members  or  male  descendants  of  those  who  served  honorably  in  the  War 
of  1812  and  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  which  limitation  was  fixed  by  law,  March  9, 
1895.  The  officers  are  commissioned,  and  the  Corps  forms  a  part  of  the  active 
militia  of  the  State.  The  officers  are:  Colonel-Commandant,  Asa  Bird  Gardiner. 
Vice-Commandant,  Lieut.-Col.  Charles  Elliot  Warren;  Brigade-Major,  Walter 
Lispenard  Suydam ;  Paymaster,  First  Lieut.  Chandler  Smith ;  Quartermaster,  First 
Lieut.  Edward  Coleman  Delafield ;  Chaplain,  Rev.  Dr.  Frank  Landon  Humphreys. 
Armory,  34th  Street  and  Park  Avenue.  Address  of  Adjutant,  60  East  42nd 
Street,  New  York. 

The  total  strength  is  now  three  hundred  members,  and  the  non-commissioned 
officers  are  as  follows : 

Sergeant-Ma jor,  Norman  Bentley  Gardiner;  Guidon  Sergeant,  I,ouis  Hays  Dos  Passos;  Quartermaster 
Sergeant,  Mortimer  Delano;  Color  Sergeant,  John  Ross  Delafield;  Color  Sergeant,  W.  S.  Groesbeck  Fowler; 
Sergeant,  Frederick  Sanford  Woodruff;  Sergeant,  Chandler  Smith;  Sergeant,  Edward  Coleman  Delafield;  Ser- 
geant, Thatcher  Taylor  Payne  Luquer;  Gunner,  Argyll  Rosse  Parsons;  Gunner,  Walter  Rysam  Jones;  Gunner, 
George  Peabody  Montgomery;  Gunner,  Howard  Thayer  Kingsbury;  Caisson  Corporal,  Henry  Hathaway 
Wheeler;  Caisson  Corporal,  Francis  Russell  Stoddard,  Jr.;  Caisson  Corporal,  James  Clark  McGuire;  Caisson 
Corporal,  Raymond  Newton  Hyde;  Corporal,  Richard  AUard  Anthony;  Corporal-Trumpeter,  George  Frederick 
Shrady. 


[337] 


CHAPTER  X 


CATHEDRAL  OF  ST.  JOHN  THE  DIVINE 

The  Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine,  when  completed,  will  be  the  largest 
edifice  for  worship  on  this  continent  and  the  third  greatest  in  Christendom,  a  mag- 
nificent free  temple  church  of  the  people  seating  seven  thousand  worshippers.  Its 
site,  125  feet  above  the  sea,  imposing  and  impressive,  dominating  JSIorningside 
Heights,  with  a  far-reaching  view  of  the  city  and  beyond,  is  peculiarly  suited  to 
such  a  structure.  The  enclosing  walls  of  the  crossing  and  the  low  dome  that  roofs 
it  are  only  temporary  and  will  disappear  when  the  great  central  tower  has  been 
built.  The  corner-stone  of  the  cathedral  was  laid  on  St.  John  the  Evangelist  day, 
December  27,  1892,  by  Bishop  Henry  C.  Potter,  Mr.  J.  Pierpont  Morgan  assist- 
ing. The  work  has  advanced  since  then  as  funds  permitted.  The  first  part  of 
the  cathedral  to  be  finished  was  the  crypt,  in  which  for  several  years  daily 
and  Sunday  services  have  been  held.  The  striking  feature  of  the  crypt 
is  the  beautiful  mosaic  altar,  a  gift  of  Mrs.  Celia  W.  Wallace  as  a  memorial  to 
her  son. 

The  choir  and  crossing  now  completed  form  a  church  of  imposing  dimensions, 
240  feet  long,  100  feet  wide,  with  an  interior  height  of  120  feet  in  the  choir  and 
160  feet  in  the  crossing.  Among  the  most  conspicuous  and  beautiful  features  of 
the  choir  are  the  two  north  and  south  sections  of  handsome  carved  choir  stalls  of 
quartered  oak,  the  magnificent  white  marble  reredos  and  the  great  organ.  These 
were  provided  for  by  a  gift  of  $250,000  made  by  the  Hon.  Levi  P.  INIorton  and 
JMrs.  Morton,  a  part  of  the  $750,000  given  by  them  to  the  cathedral  fund.  The 
beautiful  organ  has  almost  seven  thousand  pipes  and  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
powerful  in  the  world,  costing  $70,000.   It  was  given  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton  in 


[338] 


(EatljrJiral  of  ^t.  3(ol]n  lljp  Siuiur  mt  lUinntiUJiUiiJir  i^rtgljta 


THIS  IMPOSING  EDIFICE.  THE  THIRD  LARGEST  CATHEDRAL  IN 
THE  WORLD.  ADORNS  ONE  OF  THE  MOST  MAGNIFICENT  SITES  IN 
NEW  YORK.  RADICAL  CHANGES  HAVE  BEEN  MADE  IN  THE  PLANS 
FROM  THOSE  ORIGINALLY  ACCEPTED,  AND  OUR  PRINT  SHOWS  FOR 
THE  FIRST  TIME  THE  WONDERFUL  STRUCTURE  AS  IT  WILL  APPEAR 
WHEN  COMPLETED  FOR  THIS  VALUABLE  ADDITION  TO  OUR  BOOK 
WE  ARE  INDEBTED  TO  RALPH  ADAMS  CRAM.  THE  SUPERVISING 
ARCHITECT  OF  THE  CATHEDRAL 


Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine 


memory  of  their  daughter,  Lena  Kearny  JNIorton.  The  choir  stalls  were  the  gift 
of  Mrs.  Morton  in  memory  of  her  mother.  The  choir  stalls  are  surmounted  with 
delicately  carved  canopies.  The  end  post  of  each  tier  terminates  in  a  figure  each 
of  which  represents  one  of  the  most  famous  composers  of  church  music.  The  four 
tiers  of  stalls  are  capable  of  seating  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  The 
carving  of  the  stalls  is  of  intricate  design  and  exquisite  workmanship.  The 
Bishop's  chair,  or  throne,  at  the  end  of  the  altar,  is  considered  one  of  the  best 
examples  of  wood  carving  of  the  present  day.  The  white  reredos,  made  of  fine 
Pierre  de  Lens  marble  from  France,  is  45  feet  high  by  35  feet  wide.  An  un- 
finished mosaic  panel,  the  subject  not  yet  decided  upon,  is  to  be  placed  at  the 
bottom.  The  three  prominent  sculptured  figures  are  the  Saviour  in  the  centre, 
Moses  on  the  right  and  St.  John  on  the  left.  The  various  apostles  appear  in  the 
other  niches,  with  angel  statues  on  the  sides.  One  of  the  interesting  historic  ob- 
jects placed  on  the  floor  near  the  approach  to  the  altar  is  a  tile  from  the  ancient 
Church  of  St.  John  of  Ephesus.  The  inscription  reads,  "Whosoever  shall  have 
prayed  at  this  spot  will  have  pressed  with  his  feet  a  tile  from  the  ancient  Church 
of  St.  John  the  Divine  at  Ephesus,  built  by  the  Emperor  Justinian  in  the  year 
DXL,  over  the  traditional  site  of  St.  John's  grave."  The  chancel  and  altar  floor 
are  beautiful  in  color. 

Among  the  impressive  wonders  of  the  interior  are  the  giant  columns  of  gran- 
ite surrounding  the  reredos.  These  tall  pillars  terminate  at  the  capitals  in  carved 
flowers  of  stone  and  symbolic  figures.  These  tremendous  shafts  loom  straight  up 
nearly  seventy  feet  from  the  base  to  top  of  capitals.  They  weigh  ninety  tons  and 
are  eighteen  feet  in  circumference.  These  pieces  of  granite  were  the  heaviest  stones 
ever  transported  in  the  Western  Hemisphere.  They  were  brought  from  Vinal- 
haven,  Maine.  On  each  of  these  eight  noble  columns  has  been  hewn  in  imperishable 
letters  the  name  of  the  person  to  whose  memory  the  column  is  erected.  Each 
column  is  a  memorial  gift,  costing  the  donors  $25,000.  The  names  are  Alonzo  Pot- 
ter, Bishop  of  Pennsylvania;  Colonel  Richard  Tjdden  Auchmuty,  U.S.V. ;  Harry 
Manigault  Morris;  Eugene  Augustus  Hoffman;  John  Jacob  Astor  [the  1st]; 
John  Divine  Jones ;  Josiah  Mason  Fiske  and  Joseph  Lawrence. 

THE  SEVEN  CHAPELS  OF  THE  TONGUES 

One  of  the  important  features  of  the  cathedral,  both  from  an  artistic  and 
memorial  standpoint,  is  the  series  of  seven  Chapels  of  the  Tongues.  These  chapels 
were  planned  to  provide  daily  services  for  seven  nationalities  that  each  might  wor- 
ship in  its  own  tongue. 

St.  James'  Chapel  is  a  memorial  for  the  late  Bishop  Potter,  whose  body  lies 
in  a  sarcophagus  within  the  chapel.  It  is  a  gift  of  Mrs.  Potter,  who  died  before 
the  completion  of  the  structure,  but  the  work  was  faithfully  carried  to  its  com- 
pletion b}^  her  two  sons,  Mr.  F.  Ambrose  Clark  and  Mr.  Stephen  C.  Clark.  Among 
the  beautiful  objects  enriching  the  interior  is  the  magnificent  bronze  lectern  pre- 
sented by  Mrs.  Charles  Herman  Aldrich  in  memory  of  Bishop  Horatio  Potter, 


[341] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


uncle  of  the  late  Bishop  Henry  Codman  Potter.  The  architect  of  this  chapel, 
which  is  considered  one  of  the  most  noble  creations  of  architecture  in  America,  is 
Mr.  Henry  Vaughan,  who  also  created  the  companion  chapel  at  the  other  end  of 
the  semicircle,  St.  Angarius'.  This  chapel  is  the  gift  of  Grace  Church  and  was 
erected  as  a  memorial  for  Dr.  Huntington,  long  the  beloved  Rector  of  that  church. 

St.  Saviour's,  at  the  east  end  of  the  choir,  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  August  Belmont 
in  memory  of  his  wife,  Mrs.  Bessie  Morgan  Belmont.  It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
of  all  the  rich  and  lovely  memorials  in  which  the  cathedral  is  so  rich.  It  is  the  cen- 
tral one  of  the  seven  chapels  and  was  the  first  to  be  completed.  The  architects  are 
Messrs.  Heins  &  LaFarge. 

The  Chapel  of  St.  Colomba,  the  apostle  of  the  Celtic  nations,  was  built  by  a 
bequest  from  Mrs.  Edward  R.  King  as  a  memorial  to  her  daughter,  Miss  Mary 
LeRoy  King.  Its  striking  features  are  its  early  Norman  columns,  its  tall  iron  can- 
delabra, its  English  stained-glass  windows  and  its  twenty  statues  of  men  famous 
in  the  history  of  the  Church  in  Great  Britain.  This  chapel  is  also  the  work  of 
Heins  &  LaFarge. 

The  Chapel  of  St.  Martin  of  Tours,  from  designs  by  Messrs.  Cram,  Goodhue 
and  Ferguson,  is  the  gift  of  Miss  Clementina  Furniss,  and  was  erected  in  memory 
of  her  brother,  William  P.  Furniss,  and  of  Sophia  C.  Furniss.  The  interior  of 
this  chapel  is  beautifully  suggestive  of  the  sacred  purposes  to  which  it  has  been 
dedicated.    It  is  chaste  as  well  as  elegant  in  both  design  and  finish. 

St.  Ambrose's  Chapel,  built  from  plans  by  Messrs.  Carrere  &  Hastings,  is  the 
gift  of  Mrs.  Sara  Wliiting  Rives,  and  was  erected  in  memory  of  the  members  of 
her  family  who  have  passed  away.  It  is  unique  in  its  early  Renaissance  delicacy 
and  even  fantasy. 

The  Chapel  of  St.  Boniface,  which  is  another  of  Mr.  Henry  Vaughan's  crea- 
tions, was  commenced  by  Mr.  George  Sullivan  Bowdoin,  who  died  while  the  work 
was  yet  unfinished.  INIrs.  Julia  Grinnell  Bowdoin,  however,  continued  the  work 
to  completion  and  gave  it  as  a  memorial  for  her  husband. 

The  late  INIr.  J.  P.  Morgan  was  one  of  the  generous  donors  of  the  building  of 
the  cathedral  from  the  beginning,  having  contributed  various  sums  amounting  to 
nearly  $200,000.  His  latest  gift  was  $250,000  for  the  erection  of  the  new  Synod 
Hall.  In  fact,  the  stupendous  work  of  building  the  great  cathedral  has  been 
financed  by  voluntary  offerings,  big  and  little. 

THE  ALTAR  ORNAMENTS 

The  splendid  gold  and  silver  gift  set  of  altar  ornaments,  consisting  of  eight 
pieces — a  magnificent  cross,  four  flower  vases,  two  candlesticks  and  a  book  rest — 
were  presented  to  the  cathedral  by  ex-Governor  Levi  P.  Morton.  The  foremost 
among  these  beautiful  pieces  is  the  massive  cross,  five  feet  high.  The  cross  rests  on 
a  base  bearing  six  golden  eagles  with  outstretched  wings,  symbols  of  St.  John,  and 
is  fittingly  top-crowned  with  the  emblematic  eagle  of  St.  John.  Below  is  shown  the 


[  342  ] 


Nrm  ^ork  l|aatiital.  18114 


TWO  EVENTS  IN  THE  SOCIAL  HISTORY  OF  NEW  YORK,  IN  THE  EARLY 
DAYS  OF  THE  LAST  CENTURY,  STAND  OUT  WITH  UNUSUAL  DISTINCT- 
NESS. ONE  WAS  THE  FOUNDING  OF  THIS  HOSPITAL.  AND  THE  OTHER 
WAS  MR.  PINTARD  S  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.  TO  BE  A  MEMBER  OF 
EITHER  ORGANIZATION  CONFERRED  THE  NECESSARY  SOCIAL  REC- 
OGNITION DEMANDED  OF  THE  TIMES,  AND  THE  SAME  CONDITION 
STILL  EXISTS.  THE  HOSPITAL  WAS  SITUATED  ON  THE  WEST  SIDE  OF 
BROADWAY.  BETWEEN  READE  AND  WORTH  STREETS.  AND  WAS  A 
FAMILIAR  SIGHT  AS  LATE  AS  1867. 

FIOM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    FRANK  LORD, 


Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine 


smooth-shaven  face  of  the  evangelist,  both  hands  clasping  an  open  volume,  while 
a  miniatm-e  eagle  is  seen  perched  on  his  shoulder. 

The  pair  of  candlesticks,  of  gold  and  silver  filigree,  three  feet  in  length,  are 
likewise  ornamented  in  their  centre  by  a  duplicate  series  of  angel  figures  staged 
in  Gothic  canopies.  Of  the  four  vases  of  gold  and  silver  the  two  larger  are  eigh- 
teen inches  in  height  and  the  smaller  ones  twelve  inches. 

The  book  rest,  of  heavy  gold  and  silver,  is  adorned  with  scrollwork,  a  cross  oc- 
cupying the  centre. 

Miss  Aniy  Townsend  presented  the  rare  and  beautiful  lace  for  the  altar,  as 
well  as  the  flower  endowment,  for  the  altar,  in  memory  of  her  mother. 

THE  SANCTUARY  WINDOWS 

The  windows  in  the  ambulatory  surrounding  the  sanctuarj^  are  very  notable 
examples  of  modern  glass.  Only  one  has  been  put  in  place  thus  far,  though  three 
others  are  ready  and  will  soon  be  put  in.  The  beauty  and  brilliance  of  these  win- 
dows will  be  the  most  striking  and  inspiring  feature  of  this  part  of  the  cathedral. 
No  care  or  expense  is  spared  in  the  difficult  and  delicate  work  of  handling  these 
windows.  As  each  lot  of  glass  is  put  in,  the  original  tracery  for  the  entire  open- 
ing is  cut  away  and  an  entirely  new  type  substituted  at  a  cost  of  many  thousands 
of  dollars.  There  are  seven  windows  in  all  and  they  symbolize  the  seven  churches 
in  Asia.  The  cost  of  the  windows  is  $6,000  each.   They  were  made  in  London. 

THE  MARBLE  PULPIT 

The  marble  pulpit  recently  finished  is  another  memorial  for  Bishop  Potter.  It 
is  built  of  Tennessee  marble.  The  height  of  the  pulpit  is  ten  feet  and  at  the  base 
it  is  eight  feet  in  width.  Around  the  upper  part  are  five  panels  carved  in  relief, 
representing  five  great  events  in  the  life  of  our  Saviour — the  Nativity,  Christ  in 
the  Temple,  the  Crucifixion,  the  Resurrection,  and  the  Supper  at  Emmaus.  Be- 
tween the  panels  are  niches  containing  the  figures  of  St.  Jerome,  St.  Gregory,  St. 
Peter,  St.  Paul,  Archbishop  Latimer,  Bishop  Brooks  of  Boston  and  Bossuet.  The 
pulpit  in  its  entirety  is  a  beautiful  work  of  art  and  worthily  perpetuates  the  strong 
and  beneficent  character  of  the  great  Bishop.   It  is  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Russell  Sage. 

THE  BARBERINI  TAPESTRIES 

Among  the  rich  and  valuable  features  of  the  interior  decoration  are  the  cele- 
brated Barberini  Tapestries.  Seven  of  these  are  hung  on  the  walls  behind  the 
great  white  sanctuary  and  four  in  the  crossing  or  auditorium.  These  tapestries 
portray  events  in  the  life  of  Christ.  They  were  formerly  in  the  Foulke  Collection 
in  Washington,  but,  through  the  efforts  of  the  late  Bishop  Potter  and  of  the  Rev. 
Morgan  Dix,  they  were  acquired  and  presented  to  the  cathedral  by  Mrs.  W.  F. 
Coles.    They  were  made  in  the  Papal  tapestry-factory  founded  by  Cardinal  Fran- 


[  345  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


gois  Barberini,  in  the  Barberini  Palace  of  lionie,  under  the  patronage  of  his  uncle, 
Pope  Urban  VIII.  The  three  largest,  "Tlie  Flight  into  Egypt,"  "The  Last  Sup- 
per" and  "Giving  the  Keys  to  St.  Peter,"  are  fifteen  feet  eight  inches  high  and  sev- 
enteen feet  in  width. 

THE  NAVE 

Building  operations  have  recently  begun  on  the  Nave  and  working  plans  have 
been  completed  for  the  entire  Nave,  minus  the  west  front.  The  foundations  are 
now  being  put  in  for  this  work. 

JNIr.  Ralph  Adams  Cram,  the  supervising  architect  of  the  cathedral,  who  was 
selected  at  the  termination  of  the  contract  with  the  original  arcliitects,  Heins  &  La- 
Farge,  had  designs  prepared  showing  a  possible  completion  of  the  entire  building. 
These  designs  varied  radically  from  the  scheme  generally  adopted  at  the  time  of 
the  competition  many  years  ago  and  the  Nave  is  being  carried  out  in  accordance  with 
these  revised  schemes.  It  is  possible,  too,  that  a  reconstruction  of  the  interior  and 
exterior  of  the  choir  may  be  made,  and  Mr.  Cram  is  now  making  studies  with  a  view 
to  bringing  that  part  of  the  cathedral  into  complete  unity  and  harmony  with  the 
Nave  and  the  West  Front.  The  length  of  the  Nave  will  be  270  feet  and  the  width 
150  feet.  The  interior  height  will  be  125  feet.  When  the  cathedral  is  finished  its 
entire  length  will  be  GOO  feet  and  the  width  from  end  to  end  of  the  transepts  300 
feet.  It  will  be  many  years  yet  before  the  entire  edifice  will  be  seen  in  its  completed 
form,  but  we  give  on  another  page  a  reproduction  from  the  plans  of  the  supervis- 
ing architect  of  this  magnificent  edifice  as  it  will  appear  when  finished. 

Altliough  the  cathedral  proper  is  the  great  attraction  no  article  would  be  com- 
plete without  a  reference  to  the  subsidiary  buildings  surrounding  it,  the  Synod 
House,  the  Bishop's  House,  the  Deanery  and  the  Choir  School.  These  all  form  a 
part  of  the  cathedral  group.  They  have  been  erected  during  the  last  five  years  at 
a  total  cost  of  $1,500,000.  They  represent  the  gifts  and  the  interest  of  people  dur- 
ing that  time.  The  architects  of  the  Synod  House,  the  Bishop's  House  and  the 
Deanery  are  Cram,  Goodhue  and  Ferguson,  and  of  the  Choir  School,  Walter 
Cook  and  Winthrop  A.  Welch.  Cram  and  Ferguson  are  the  architects  of  the  Nave. 
It  must  be  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  those  men  to  know  that  their  names  will 
be  associated  with  this  great  and  enduring  work  for  all  time. 

The  Cathedral  of  St.  John  the  Divine  when  finished  will  be  a  little  less  than 
half  in  area  of  St.  Peter's  in  Rome,  almost  equalling  the  Cathedral  of  Seville,  and 
exceeding  the  Duomo  of  Milan.  It  will  surpass  all  other  cathedrals  of  the  world. 
Notre  Dame,  Westminster  Abbey,  and  many  other  noted  edifices  must  all  yield  in 
size  and  gi*andeur,  and  the  famous  edifices  of  France,  of  Germany  and  of  all  lands 
beyond  the  seas  will  be  dwarfed  in  comparison  with  the  splendid  and  imposing 
structure  which  is  slowly  rising  on  Morningside  Heights.  The  new  cathedral  was 
dedicated  on  Wednesday,  April  19,  1911,  by  Bishop  David  Hummell  Greer  in  the 
presence  of  the  noted  dignitaries  of  the  Church  and  State,  and  prominent  laymen. 


[  346  ] 


AN  UNUSUALLY  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  WHAT  AFTERWARDS  BECAME 
UNION  SQUARE  THE  BOWERY  SWUNG  OFF  FROM  THIRD  AVENUE 
(WHERE  FOURTH  AVENUE  NOW  STARTS)  AND  CROSSED  THE  SQUARE 
TO  THE  BLOOMINGDALE  ROAD  (BROADWAY)  AT  \7ui  STREET 
THE  SMALL  BUILDING  IN  CENTRE  (N  E  CORNER  BROADWAY  AND 
l7iH  STREET)  WAS  ERECTED  BY  THE  BANK  OF  THE  MANHATTAN 
COMPANY.  WHO  OCCUPIED  IT  DURING  THE  YELLOW  FEVER  EPI- 
DEMIC OF  1822  DURING  THIS  SCOURGE  NEARLY  EVERY  DOWN- 
TOWN BANK  MOVED  TO  THE  COUNTRY,  MOST  OF  THEM  GOING  TO 
GREENWICH  VILLAGE  WHERE  BANK  STREET  WAS  CREATED  IN  ONE 
NIGHT  AS  A  RESULT 


CHAPTER  XI 


THE  ROMANCE  OF  BIG  BUSINESS:  GREAT  INDUSTRIES 
AND  THEIR  SMALL  BEGINNINGS 

THE  UBIQUITOUS  TROLLEY  CAR 

The  following  paragraph  taken  from  the  A^.  Y.  Sun  of  August,  1887,  suggests 
but  little  of  the  tremendous  development  which  was  soon  to  succeed  the  modest 
experiments  herein  recorded,  and  which  heralded  the  coming  of  the  trolley  car: 

"ELECTRICITY  ON  WHEELS 

"They  tried  an  electric  car  on  Fourth  Avenue  yesterday.  It  created  an  amount  of  surprise  and 
consternation  from  Thirty-second  Street  to  117th  Street  that  was  something  like  that  caused  by  the  first 
steamboat  on  the  Hudson.  Small  boys  yelled  'dynamite'  and  'rats,'  and  made  similar  appreciative 
remarks  until  they  were  hoarse.  Newly  appointed  policemen  debated  arresting  it,  but  went  no  further. 
The  car  horses  which  were  met  on  the  other  track  kicked  without  exception,  as  was  natural,  over  an 
invention  which  threatens  to  relegate  them  to  a  sausage  factory." 

New  York's  marvellous  growth  during  the  past  fifteen  years  is  due  possibly 
more  to  its  great  transportation  systems,  surface,  elevated  and  underground,  than 
to  any  other  single  influence,  and  particularly  the  introduction  of  electric  propul- 
sion without  which,  of  course,  the  subways  and  tunnels  would  have  been  imprac- 
ticable. 

To  the  inventions  and  work  of  one  man,  more  perhaps  than  any  other, 
Mr.  Frank  J.  Sprague,  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  later  a  resident  of  JNIassa- 
chusetts,  is  due  the  rapid  development  of  the  art.  From  the  latter  State  he  had 
won  an  appointment  to  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy  and  had  graduated  with 
honors  in  1878.  He  had  early  manifested  special  aptitude  for  electric  inventions, 
much  to  the  cynical  amusement  of  his  shipmates,  and  although  still  in  the  prime  of 
life  is  now  known  throughout  the  engineering  world  as  the  "Father  of  the  Electric 


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Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Railway,"  primarily  because  of  his  equipment  of  the  pioneer  commercial  trolley  road 
at  Richmond,  Va.  Immediately  after  leaving  Annapolis  he  embarked  in  indepen- 
dent experimental  work  at  the  Stevens  Institute  Laboratory  and  the  Brooklyn 
Navy  Yard.  This  work  was  interrupted  by  Government  orders  which  necessitated 
a  cruise  around  the  world,  being  with  General  Grant  in  Japan.  On  his  return  in 
1880,  and  while  on  duty  on  the  U.  S.  S.  Minnesota,  he  attempted  to  introduce  the 
electric  light  in  the  naval  service,  but  found  little  encouragement.  Soon  after- 
wards he  began  experiments  at  the  Torpedo  Station  at  Newport,  and  later  was  sent 
to  the  first  British  Electric  Exhibition,  held  at  Syndenham  in  1882. 

While  secretary  of  his  section  of  the  jury,  in  which  he  was  associated  with 
many  prominent  scientists,  he  probably  saved  himself  from  a  court  martial  for 
overstaying  his  orders,  because  of  the  excellence  of  a  report  on  tests  carried  out 
under  his  directions.  No  doubt  the  navy  lost  a  great  Admiral,  but  Electricity 
gained  a  captain. 

It  was  at  this  period,  while  travelling  on  the  Metropolitan  District  Railway 
in  London,  that  he  conceived  a  solution  for  its  electric  operation.  By  using  a 
form  of  under-contact  overhead  trolley,  following  the  central  lines  of  all  tracks  and 
switches,  with  the  tracks  as  a  return  circuit,  the  problem  seemed  easy. 

Shortly  afterwards  he  was  granted  a  year's  leave,  and  resigning  from  the 
Naval  service  returned  to  the  United  States  as  an  assistant  to  Mr.  Edison  in  his 
early  electric  light  developments,  toward  which  he  made  material  contributions. 

Desiring  to  study  the  transmission  of  electricity  for  power  purposes  according 
to  his  own  conception,  he  resigned  from  Edison's  employ,  and  formed  the  Sprague 
Electric  Railway  and  Motor  Company,  which  was  destined  to  play  an  important 
and  influential  part  in  the  future  uses  of  electricity. 

One  of  Mr.  Sprague's  early  inventions  was  the  constant  speed  industrial  motor, 
first  exhibited  at  the  Philadelphia  Exhibition  in  1884.  Its  success  was  so  prompt 
that  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  the  motors  were  endorsed  by  the  parent 
Edison  company  for  adoption  on  the  circuits  of  their  licensees. 

In  1885  he  conceived  a  novel  scheme  of  operation  for  the  Manhattan  system, 
embracing  the  now  universally  used  "wheelbarrow"  method  of  motor  suspension. 

For  a  period  of  about  eight  years,  beginning  with  the  almost  simultaneous 
crude  proposals  of  Stephen  D.  Field,  Werner  von  Siemens  and  Thomas  A.  Edison 
in  1878-79,  following  earlier  suggestions  of  other  scientists  and  inventors  and  made 
possible  by  the  advance  in  dynamo  electric  machinery,  the  art  of  electric  propul- 
sion had  remained  in  an  essentially  chaotic  condition.  Throughout  the  world, 
including  every  kind  of  project,  there  were  in  1886  less  than  a  dozen  and  a  half 
electric  installations,  covering  possibly  an  aggregate  of  sixty  miles  of  track  and  a 
hundred  motors  and  cars. 

The  roads  were  limited  in  extent  and  the  equipments  were  of  the  most  varied 
character,  presenting  no  type  or  design  sufficiently  good  to  overcome  the  prejudice 
of  those  interested  in  transportation  or  to  command  the  confidence  of  capital.  The 
general  conditions  were,  however,  right  for  a  great  development  in  electric  trans- 
portation.   This  was  partly  on  account  of  the  successful  operation  of  central  sta- 


[  350  ] 


of  iutrh  Street:  about  IB  2D 


■  MY  FIRST  NIGHT  ON  SHORE  WAS  PASSED  AT  N.>  8  DUTCH  STREET 
(NOW  COLGATE'S).  ITWAS  A  SMALL  FRAME  BUILDING  WITH  A  MISER- 
ABLE, LOW-ROOFED  GARRET  COVERED  WITH  SHINGLES  IT  WAS  A 
HOT  NIGHT.  THE  GARRET  WAS  ALIVE  WITH  FLEAS.  FLIES.  BUGS  AND 
MOSOUITOS  AND  I  COULD  NOT  SLEEP  ' 

-LIFE  OF  GRANT  THORBURN 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business  :  Troleey  Cars 


tions  for  electric  lighting  and  the  introduction  later  of  motors  for  industrial  pur- 
poses to  be  operated  on  the  same  circuits. 

J.  C.  Henry,  Charles  J.  Van  Derpoele,  Leo  Daft  and  other  workers  had  made 
modest  installments;  the  latter  had  carried  on  experimental  work  on  the  Ninth 
Avenue  Elevated,  and  the  Edison-Field  interests  had  combined  with  the  intention 
of  undertaking  experiments,  which  were,  however,  limited  to  the  installation  in 
1885  of  a  battery  of  small  lighting  dynamos  in  the  old  Durant  Sugar  Refinery  on 
East  24th  Street,  New  York,  and  a  short  trial  by  Field  soon  afterwards  of  an 
electric  locomotive  on  the  34th  Street  Branch  of  the  Elevated. 

These  experiments  having  come  to  a  halt,  arrangements  were  made  by  E.  H. 
Johnson  for  Sprague  to  use  the  same  generator  equipment.  The  first  tests  were 
carried  on  with  two  motors  mounted  on  an  elevated  railway  truck  under  a  flat  bot- 
tom car,  on  a  track  about  200  feet  long  between  the  walls  of  the  refiner}^  Among 
those  who  came  to  see  these  novel  experiments  was  the  late  Jay  Gould,  then  one  of 
the  principal  owners  of  the  Manhattan  Elevated,  and  it  is  likely  that  over-confidence 
on  the  part  of  the  inventor  was  one  of  the  causes  of  his  subsequent  lack  of  interest 
in  electric  developments.  Mr.  Gould  was  a  man  of  small  stature,  and  during  the 
operation  of  the  car  was  standing  near  the  controller  and  what  is  known  as  a 
safety  catch — a  piece  of  lead  in  the  main  circuit  intended  to  fall  and  open  circuit 
in  case  of  overload.  On  account  of  the  short  space  for  operating  the  car,  the 
controller,  which  governed  the  motors  for  both  running  and  braking,  was  handled 
quite  abruptly,  with  the  result  that  the  safety  catch  operated  with  a  startling  flash, 
resulting  in  Mr.  Gould's  attempt  to  jump  off  the  car  despite  the  remonstrance  of 
the  inventor.  The  experiments  were  soon  transferred  to  the  34th  Street  branch, 
where  successful  tests  were  conducted  in  INIay,  1886,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
number  of  railroad  men  and  financiers,  among  them  Cyrus  W.  Field  and  the  Duke 
of  Sutherland. 

The  experiments  on  the  Elevated  were  'lontinued  until  December  of  1886,  but 
during  this  period  of  seven  months  not  a  stockholder  or  director  of  the  Manhattan 
road  ever  apparently  took  any  interest  in  the  outcome.  But  the  machines  used 
were  the  parent  models  of  the  present  modern  railway  motor. 

The  struggle  of  these  early  days  of  electric  development  is  illustrated  by  the 
fact  that,  although  married  and  without  capital,  Sprague  had  shortly  before  de- 
clined a  proposition  for  the  sale  of  one-sixth  of  his  interest  for  $30,000;  after  this 
test  a  like  interest  was  sold  for  over  $50,000. 

Giving  up  for  the  time  any  attempt  to  equip  the  Elevated,  Sprague  turned  his 
attention  to  the  development  of  the  trolley  system,  his  equipment  of  the  road  at 
Richmond,  Va.,  marking  the  beginning  of  great  development  in  this  art. 

New  York's  adoption  of  the  new  motive  power  was  most  tard)' — partly,  no 
doubt,  because  of  the  restriction  in  the  use  of  overhead  wires ;  and  it  was  not  until 
the  consolidation  of  the  surface  lines  and  the  means  for  putting  the  trolley  and 
its  return  circuit  into  a  conduit,  patterned  after  cable  practice,  had  been  tried  out 
anew  on  one  of  the  New  York  surface  lines  that  any  advance  was  made  in  their 
equipment. 


[  353  ] 


(ii.i.Mi'SKs  OF  Old  New  York 


Meanwhile  Mr.  Sprague's  interest  in  the  transportation  problem  led  him  to  be- 
come an  ardent  advocate  of  underground  rapid  transit  based  on  electric  opera- 
tion. In  season  and  out  he  insisted  that  electricity  was  capable  of  satisfying  in 
the  highest  degree  the  exacting  demands  of  a  rapid  transit  system  which  should 
be  chiefly  designed  with  special  reference  to  its  use. 

In  a  letter  to  Chairman  Steinway,  of  the  Rapid  Transit  Commission,  he  made 
an  offer  which  ultimately  proved  unanswerable  as  between  steam  and  electricity : 

"I  will  go  further  than  mere  assertion  that  the  required  development  will  take  place,  and  will, 
so  far  as  may  be,  determine  the  matter  by  reference  to  that  criterion  which  alone  governs  almost  all 
decisions  of  this  character,  the  possibly  hard,  but  the  entirely  just  one  of  dollars  and  cents;  for  I  am 
ready,  if  a  rapid  transit  system  be  adopted  requiring  the  use  of  the  electric  motor,  to  undertake  the 
entire  contract  for  the  necessary  steam  and  electrical  equipment  for  not  less  than  fifty  way  and 
express  trains  operated  as  I  have  outlined,  under  satisfactory  guarantees  of  efficiency  and  cost  of 
operation  as  compared  with  steam  practice." 

This  proposal  naturally  gave  birth  to  the  subway  and  put  an  end  to  the  elevated 
extensions,  greatly  to  the  city's  gain. 

Up  to  this  time  all  other  proposals  for  electric  train  operation  had  been  based 
upon  the  use  of  a  locomotive  or  a  locomotive  car  to  pull  unequipped  trail  cars,  a 
system  having  evident  serious  limitations  for  a  densely  congested  traffic  over  re- 
stricted trackage.  Sprague's  new  idea  was  to  equip  each  car  with  its  own  motors 
and  controllers  through  an  independent  train  line  and  master  controllers,  and  pro- 
vide means  for  coupling  them  together  in  such  fashion  that  without  regard  to 
number,  sequence  or  end  relation  they  could,  when  so  coupled,  be  operated  from 
either  end  of  any  car  through  its  master  switch,  and  any  train  so  operated  would, 
irrespective  of  its  length,  have  the  same  characteristics  as  a  single  car. 

The  long-delayed  electrification  of  the  New  York  Elevated  is  a  story  by  itself. 
]Mr.  Sprague  made  every  kind  of  an  inducement  to  effect  the  change  from  steam, 
going  so  far  as  to  practically  offer  to  do  the  work  at  his  own  expense. 

Meanwhile  the  Chicago  South  Side  system  became  a  convert  to  his  ideas  and 
the  Brooklyn  Elevated  followed  suit,  both  adopting  Sprague's  multiple  unit  sys- 
tem. They  were  followed  by  Boston  and  finally  by  our  own  Manhattan.  In  1902 
the  same  system  was  specified  for  use  in  the  Subway.  It  was  a  long  time  in  gaining 
recognition  and  the  fight  was  at  times  discouraging;  but  it  is  now  a  fundamental 
essential  of  the  equipment  not  alone  of  the  greatest  interurban  rapid  transit  sys- 
tems in  the  world,  but  is  the  basis  of  operation  of  every  electric  train  wherever  two 
or  more  motor  cars  are  operated  under  common  control,  and  is  also  in  use  on  the 
locomotives,  whose  capacity  is  enormously  increased  thereby,  on  railroads  such  as  the 
New  York  Central,  Pennsylvania,  Long  Island  and  New  Haven. 

Beginning  with  the  pioneer  trolley  road  in  Riclunond,  Va.,  Mr.  Sprague  has 
every  reason  to  feel  proud  of  himself.  In  a  former  book  by  the  writer,  "Old  New 
York,"  mention  was  unfortunately  omitted  of  this  interesting  storj-  of  the  most 
comfortable  feature  of  city  life — our  rapid  and  abundant  transportation  service — 
and  it  is  a  pleasure  to  supply  the  omission  now. 

Mr.  Sprague  is  a  member  of  the  Strategy  board  organized  by  Secretary 
Daniels,  and  his  services  are  at  the  service  of  the  Government,  along  with  those  of 
Edison,  Ford  and  other  members  of  the  distinguished  Committee. 


[354] 


IBroaliuiaQ  from  ICtbrrtg  &tml  santif  to  Urrtor:  lB4n 


THIS  SHOWS  THE  PRESENT  SITE  OF  THE  GREAT  SINGER.  REALTY 
TRUST  AND  TRINITY  BUILDINGS,  ALSO  TRINITY  CHURCH  AND  GRACE 
CHAPEL  ON  THE  RECTOR  STREET  CORNER.  WHERE  THE  EMPIRE 
BUILDING  NOW  STANDS  THE  VIEW  SHOWS  THE  FAMOUS  OLD  CITY 
HOTEL.  OUR  FIRST  ATTEMPT  AT  HOTEL  BUILDING  (I794\  AND  THE 
NEW  ENGLAND  HOUSE  ADJOINING  SMALL  SHOPS  AND  STORES  OC- 
CUPIED THE  BLOCKS  BETWEEN  LIBERTY  PINE  AND  CEDAR  STREETS 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  The  Telephone 


THE  TELEPHONE 

So  generally  used  is  the  telephone  that  it  seems  hard  to  realize  that  scarcely 
a  generation  has  grown  up  to  whom  the  telephone  was  never  a  novelty.  So 
accustomed  are  we  to  its  manifold  conveniences  that  we  cheerfully  class  non-tele- 
phonic days  with  the  age  of  troglodytes,  cliff  dwellers  and  other  beginnings  of 
human  civilization.  And  yet  the  telephone  is  hardly  more  than  forty  years  old. 
One  after  another,  men  came  forward  and  undertook  to  create  a  telephone  system 
in  New  York,  but  the  pioneers  who  actually  accomplished  something  were 
Mr.  Charles  A.  Cheever  and  Mr.  Hilborne  L.  Roosevelt.  They  started  a  com- 
pany with  the  stupendous  capital  of  $20,000. 

To  Mr.  J.  L.  Haigh  belongs  the  honor  of  having  been  the  first  telephone  sub- 
scriber in  New  York  City.  His  line,  five  miles  in  length,  was  laid  across  the  half- 
finished  Brooklyn  Bridge  to  his  steel  plant  in  South  Brooklyn;  the  honor  was 
therefore  equally  divided,  as  telephoning  began  in  Brooklyn  and  Manhattan  at  the 
same  instant. 

Cheever  and  Roosevelt  did  much  to  stimulate  public  interest  in  the  telephone. 
They  lost  no  opportunity  of  bringing  it  to  the  attention  of  business  men,  and  during 
the  American  Institute  Exhibition  of  1877  they  made  the  telephone  the  star 
feature,  and  won  the  "Medal  of  Progress."  As  many  as  twenty-five  hundred  peo- 
ple per  day  used  the  five  telephone  booths  that  were  set  in  this  exhibition,  but  even 
at  that,  few  people  were  willing  to  consider  the  new  instrument  as  a  valuable  and 
practical  discovery.  When  Judge  Hilton  was  asked  if  a  telephone  might  be  put  in 
A.  T.  Stewart's  store,  he  said,  "You  can  put  it  in  as  an  advertisement,  but  we  will 
not  pay  for  it." 

Both  Cheever  and  Roosevelt  were  exceptionally  able  men  and  of  unquestioned 
resourcefulness,  yet  it  is  quite  apparent  from  subsequent  development  that  they 
had  undertaken  a  task  entirely  beyond  their  power  to  accomplish.  In  a  few 
months  practically  all  their  capital  was  spent.  The  Western  Union,  too,  had 
suddenly  changed  its  policy  of  indifference  and  declared  war  against  the  Bell  Tele- 
phone Company.  It  was  then  one  of  the  richest  and  most  powerful  corporations 
in  the  city,  and  its  opposition  was  thoroughly  disheartening  to  the  new  telephone 
company.  To  their  lasting  credit  it  must  be  put  on  record  that  Cheever  and  Roose- 
velt did  not  surrender,  but  put  up  as  pretty  a  fight  as  New  York  had  ever  wit- 
nessed. The  odds,  however,  were  against  the  possibility  of  successful  contention, 
and  it  soon  became  apparent  that  a  larger  and  more  powerful  company  must  be 
formed  to  protect  the  telephone's  interests.  In  this  desperate  plight,  the  home  com- 
pany of  Boston  despatched  Theodore  N.  Vail  to  the  scene  of  action. 

Mr.  Edwin  Holmes  was  elected  the  first  president  of  the  new  Company  in  1878, 
and  Mr.  Vail  was  his  successor  in  1879.  The  new  company  had  $100,000  capital 
stock,  of  which  $60,000  was  paid  in  cash  by  the  eight  shareholders  who  were  officers 
of  the  Company.  The  first  regular  telephone  exchange  was  opened  at  82  Nassau 
Street  in  March  of  1879,  and  the  second  at  97  Spring  Street  several  months 
later.    These  early  years — from  1877  to  1880 — comprised  a  very  trying  period. 


[  357  ] 


GiJMPSES  OF  Old  New  York 


It  seemed  utterly  impossible  to  have  the  public  consider  the  new  invention  in  any 
other  light  than  that  of  a  fantastic  toy.  To  show  how  unimportant  the  Company 
and  its  business  was  regarded  by  outside  houses,  Mr.  Vail  at  one  time  sent  a  small 
order  to  the  store  of  L.  G.  Tillottson  at  15  Dey  Street  for  some  supplies  in  the 
fall  of  1872.  The  clerk  sent  back  word  that  the  goods  were  ready,  and  also  the  bill, 
$7.00.  On  the  spot  where  that  store  stood,  by  one  of  those  fantastic  whirligigs  of 
fortune,  there  is  to-day  the  towering  office  building  of  the  New  York  Telephone 
Company,  with  its  millions  upon  millions  of  capital. 

Of  these  pioneers  none  are  now  left  except  Mr.  Vail  and  Mr.  William  H. 
Woolverton.  The  latter  is  still  active  head  of  the  New  York  Transfer  Company 
and  retains  his  seat  among  the  directors  of  the  New  York  Telephone  Company. 
Mr.  Vail  is  too  well  known  to  need  any  further  allusion,  but  it  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  largely  owing  to  his  remarkable  excutive  ability,  his  untiring  patience  and 
his  indomitable  courage  the  telephone  in  New  York  is  what  it  is  to-day.  He  has 
been  ably  assisted  by  Mr.  Union  N.  Bethell,  whose  introduction  of  the  sliding  scale 
of  rates  brought  the  cost  within  the  reach  of  all  and  immensely  popularized  the  use 
of  the  telephone;  by  Mr.  J.  J.  Cart)',  who  is  now  known  as  the  world's  leading  tele- 
phone engineer,  and  by  Mr.  Frank  H.  Bethell,  at  present  first  vice-president  of  the 
New  York  Telephone  Company. 

THE  PHONOGRAPH 

Of  all  the  inventions  which  have  contributed  to  the  pleasure  of  society,  the 
little  round  disc  out  of  which  comes  the  most  marvellous  melodies  is  surely  entitled 
to  a  place  of  the  highest  rank.  Like  all  great  inventions,  it  had  the  usual  career 
of  early  disappointment,  later  successful  development,  cuhninating  at  last  in  the 
present  stupendous  business,  which  is  only  in  its  infancy. 

Its  progress  along  commercially  successful  lines  began  in  1876  when  Edison 
first  claimed  the  reproduction  of  recorded  sound  waves.  From  that  year  onward, 
the  development  was  continuous,  but  not  until  Eldridge  Reeves  Johnson  took  hold 
of  the  idea  as  a  business  in  1888  did  the  phonograph  become  of  real  practical 
utility.  Starting  with  a  few  men  in  Camden,  he  has  brought  the  industry  to  a  point 
where  more  than  nine  thousand  operatives  are  engaged  in  the  work  of  producing 
Victor  Records,  whose  famous  little  dog  listening  at  the  horn  has  made  itself  known 
in  every  corner  of  the  world. 

Chichester  Bell,  Sunmer  Tainter,  Emil  Berliner,  Charles  Spross  are  names 
prominently  connected  with  the  early  inventive  days  of  the  art.  Each  of  them 
contributed  valuable  discoveries  and  improvements  and  deserves  great  credit  for 
the  ultimate  success. 

THE  SPECTACULAR  RISE  OF  THE  HORSELESS  CARRIAGE 

It  seems  but  yesterday  that  I  joined  the  curious  throng  in  front  of  Hilton, 
Hughes  &  Co.'s  store  on  Broadway  and  Ninth  Street,  now  Wanamaker's,  to  wit- 
ness the  first  demonstration  of  a  self-propelling  delivery  wagon.    The  announce- 


[  358  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913,  H    C.  BROWN, 


©Ijr  ifamuita  Itrrl}  TJtPiu  uf  Nnu  ^ark.  1303:  iFirat  ^tatr 


THIS  RARE  VIEW  WAS  PAINTED  BY  W  BIRCH.  AND  ENGRAVED  ON 
COPPERPLATE  BY  SAMUEL  SEYMOUR  IT  WAS  PUBLISHED  IN 
1803  BY  BIRCH  AT  SPRINGLAND.  NEAR  BRISTOL.  PENNSYLVANIA. 
IT  IS  A  CHARMING  DISTANT  VIEW  OF  THE  YOUNG  CITY  WHOSE  SKY 
LINE  AT  THAT  TIME  GAVE  NO  SUGGESTION  OF  THE  TOWERING 
STRUCTURES  OF  TO  DAY. 

CONSIDERABLE  INTEREST  ATTACHES  TO  THIS  PRINT  ON  ACCOUNT 
OF  A  CHANGE  WHICH  WAS  MADE  IN  THE  DRAWING  IN  THE  SECOND 
ISSUE  THE  WHITE  HORSE  DISAPPEARS,  AND  A  GROUP  OF  FIGURES 
TAKES  ITS  PLACE  THE  LATER  EDITION  IS  KNOWN  AS  THE  PIC  NIC 
PARTY.  '  SO  THAT  OUR  READERS  MAY  SEE  FOR  THEMSELVES  THE 
DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN  A  FIRST  "  AND  A  '  SECOND  '  STATE.  WE 
ALSO  REPRODUCE  THE  LATTER  AS  THE  NEXT  ILLUSTRATION. 

FROM   THE  COLLECTION   OF   MR.  ROBERT  GOELET. 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  The  Horseless  Carriage 


ments  spoke  of  it  as  a  "horseless  carriage"and  the  excitement  created  by  its  satisfac- 
tory performance  had  scarcely  calmed  down  ere  the  sight  was  a  familiar  one,  so 
rapid  was  the  development  of  this  remarkable  invention.  Stories  of  the  sudden 
riches  achieved  in  the  Klondike  and  in  the  palmiest  days  of  California  in  '49 
fail  to  dim  the  lustre  of  the  record  established  by  the  manufacture  of  the  auto- 
mobile. 

Henry  Ford  is  now  a  familiar  figure  in  the  world  of  business,  finance,  poli- 
tics, philosophy,  science,  humanitarianism,  and  everything  else  but  history,  art  and 
letters.  None  of  your  storied  past  for  Henry.  He  is  of  the  minute,  of  the  split 
second.  And  he  is  having  lots  of  fun.  He  is  a  good  guy,  Henry  is,  and  we  wish 
him  well. 

The  next  man  who  looms  large  on  the  horizon  is  John  North  Willys,  of  To- 
ledo to-day,  but  originally  a  native  of  our  State,  having  first  seen  the  light  of  day 
at  Canandaigua. 

The  story  of  how,  in  1907,  Mr.  Willys  faced  utter  ruin  as  a  result  of  the  un- 
expected financial  difficulties  of  the  Overland  Company  for  whose  output  he  had 
contracted  and  of  his  remarkable  foresight  and  courage  in  handling  the  situation 
is  surely  one  of  the  most  dramatic  episodes  in  all  the  history  of  this  business  of  dra- 
matic surprises. 

The  danger  only  aroused  him  to  a  real  display  of  his  fighting  ability.  His 
inspection  of  the  plant  ended  on  a  Saturday  and  he  called  a  conference  with  the 
officials  of  the  Overland  Company  for  the  next  afternoon  in  an  Indianapolis  hotel. 
At  the  conference  he  formally  demanded  to  know  why  the  firm  had  failed  to  deliver 
the  cars  on  which  he  had  made  deposits.  The  demand  was  only  a  formality,  how- 
ever, for  he  knew  as  well  as  did  its  officials  what  was  the  matter  with  the  manu- 
facturing firm. 

"Our  company  will  go  into  the  hands  of  a  receiver  to-morrow,"  was  the  plant 
manager's  reply.  "We  were  able  to  only  partially  meet  our  payroll  for  the  week. 
It  looks  like  the  end." 

"How  much  cash  do  you  need  to  tide  over  to-morrow?"  asked  Mr.  Willys. 

"Four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,"  was  the  reply,  and  there  wasn't  even  a 
suggestion  of  hope  in  the  tone. 

Though  the  day  was  Sunday,  in  the  middle  of  the  1907  panic  period  when 
Indianapolis  banks  were  paying  in  script  and  cash  was  as  scarce  as  the  proverbial 
chicken's  molars,  John  N.  Willys  was  not  dismayed. 

With  the  aid  of  the  hotel  clerk,  who  turned  the  money  till  upside  down  and 
the  office  strongbox  and  the  pockets  of  all  his  friends  and  acquaintances  inside  out, 
he  raised  $500  on  his  personal  check  before  evening.  The  Overland  Company 
was  saved,  temporarily,  though  the  end,  under  conditions  then  existing,  was  inevi- 
table. 

It  was  only  by  turning  over  control  of  the  plant  to  Mr.  Willys  that  the 
officials  indefinitely  delayed  this  day  of  final  reckoning.  With  the  direct  super- 
vision of  affairs  in  his  own  hands,  Mr.  Willys  soon  saw  that  complete  reorganiza- 
tion was  the  one  hope  of  the  concern,  and  immediately  he  took  the  necessary  steps.  - 


[861] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


On  January  9,  1908,  Mr.  Willys  became  president  of  the  Overland  Company 
and  acquired  direct  control  of  the  concern.  Though  the  breakers  had  been  peril- 
ously close,  the  master  hand  on  the  wheel  soon  made  itself  felt  and  Overland  busi- 
ness began  picking  up  from  the  start.  During  that  year  401  cars  were  manu- 
factured, and,  with  cash  on  hand  and  a  steadily  growing  demand  for  its  product, 
the  company  found  itself  with  comparatively  clear  sailing  ahead.  The  next  year 
the  Overland  factory  was  found  altogether  too  small  for  turning  out  the  4,000  cars 
manufactured,  and  much  of  the  work  was  carried  on  in  two  big  circus  tents  Mr. 
Willys  had  purchased.  At  the  end  of  that  season  President  Willys  felt  the  de- 
mand for  manufacturing  facilities  so  insistent  that  he  began  looking  for  more 
room.  He  took  an  option  on  thirty  acres  of  land  in  Indianapolis  and  planned  a 
new  factory  building. 

At  his  home  in  Indianapolis  Mr.  Willys  was  preparing  for  a  business  trip  to 
New  York,  when  his  Toledo  representative  called  him  by  telephone  and  advised 
him  that  the  Pope-Toledo  Manufacturing  Company  of  that  city  was  in  financial 
difficulties  and  desirous  of  selling  its  plant.  The  representative  urged  his  su- 
perior to  make  a  trip  to  Toledo,  but  Mr.  Willys  at  first  refused,  being  anxious 
to  reacli  New  York  and  close  a  deal  whereby  he  was  to  get  backing  for  his  Indian- 
apolis building  project.  On  board  the  train,  however,  he  thought  the  project  over, 
and  on  learning  that  there  was  a  Toledo  sleeper,  changed  cars.  The  next  morning 
he  was  inspecting  the  old  Pope  plant.  That  evening  saw  him  again  on  his  way 
east  and  the  next  day  he  closed  with  Albert  Pope,  president  of  the  Pope-Toledo 
Manufacturing  Company,  for  the  plant,  machinery,  stock  and  good  will  of  that 
concern,  and  the  business  at  once  took  on  a  new  impetus.  In  the  first  year  12,000 
cars  were  produced  and  the  output  has  steadily  increased  every  year  till  the  pres- 
ent season  (1916)  will  probably  see  a  production  of  200,000.  In  many  respects 
this  record  stands  unrivalled.  It  is  sometimes  said  that  the  great  Overland  busi- 
ness was  saved  by  the  paltry  loan  of  $450.00.  What  value  shall  we  place  upon  the 
indomitable  nerve,  the  splendid  courage,  the  matchless  resources  of  the  man  who 
met  and  conquered  such  a  threatened  disaster? 

Mr.  Willys  is  still  eight  years  from  fifty — merely  a  stripling  in  one  sense, 
and  his  career  only  begun. 

Hugh  Chalmers  is  another  headliner  in  the  motor  car  industry.  Mr.  Chal- 
mers came  from  Daj'ton,  Ohio,  where  he  was  the  right-hand  man  of  John  Pat- 
terson in  the  great  Cash  Register  works.  He,  too,  is  a  young  man,  but  had  already 
proved  his  ability  by  his  rapid  advancement  in  the  Daj'ton  plant,  where  he  had 
achieved  the  position  of  general  manager  at  a  salary  of  $82,000  per  year. 

The  feverish  haste  with  which  plants  were  built  in  Detroit  at  this  time  re- 
minded one  of  nothing  so  much  as  the  early  daj's  in  Leadville  or  Goldfield.  Acres 
were  staked  out,  steel  girders  erected,  but  long  before  the  completion  of  walls  or 
roof  the  space  would  be  occupied  by  busy  mechanics.  Nothing  like  it  was  ever 
seen  in  the  industrial  world  before,  and  probably  never  will  be  again.  Hugh 
Chalmers  is  of  Scotch  descent,  is  a  prodigious  worker,  an  able  financier  and  his  en- 
terprise was  a  huge  success  from  the  start. 


[  362  ] 


cnrYniGHT,  i9i3    h  c  brown 


jFiiTit  iiiii'iiiiu,  N.      S'tatr  Arttllrni 


MORRIS  CADETS.  HUSSARS.  GERMAN.  LAFAYETTE.  MONTGOMERY. 
WASHINGTON  AND  BROOKLYN  HORSE  GUARDS.  NATIONAL  GUARD 
AND  WASHINGTON  GREYS  TROOP.  HORSE  ARTILLERY.  LANCERS. 
LIKE  THE  FIRE  PICTURE  OF  1  835.  THE  EXPRESS  COMPANY,  AND 
THE  "WASHINGTON  SQUARE  PARADE."  THIS  LITHOGRAPH  SHOWS 
THE  ACTUAL  LIKENESSES  IN  THE  FOREGROUND  OF  THE  COMMAND- 
ING OFFICERS.  THESE  LITHOGRAPHS  WERE  BOUGHT  AS  SOU- 
VENIRS BY  THE  MEMBERS.  BUT  FEW  ARE  NOW  IN  EXISTENCE.  THIS 
WAS  PRINTED  IN  1844  BY  F,  J  FRITSCH  OF  THIS  CITY.ANDTHE 
BACKGROUND  SHOWS  CASTLE  GARDEN.  THE  BATTERY  AND  THE 
BAY.  IT  IS  A  RARE  COLORED  COPY  AND  IS  NOW  PRACTICALLY 
UNOBTAINABLE. 

AS  AN  ILLUSTRATION  OF  AN  OLD-TIME  CRACK  REGIMENT."  IT  IS 
OF  GREAT  INTEREST.  ITS  MEMBERS  CAME  FROM  FAMILIES  OF 
THE   HIGHEST  SOCIAL  STANDING   IN  THE  CITY. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR    PERCY    R    PYNE.  2ND. 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  Public  Service  Utilities 


Another  figure  of  commanding  eminence  in  the  industry  is  Henry  Bourne 
Joy,  "Father  of  the  Lincoln  Highway,"  ardent  patriot  and  chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Packard  Motor  Car  Company.  Mr.  Joy  relinquished  the  ardu- 
ous duties  of  the  presidency  of  the  company  to  Alvan  Macauley  in  June,  1916. 

When  he  was  a  young  man  Mr.  Joy  could  have  declared  himself  content  with 
the  achievements  of  his  father  and  his  own  private  fortune.  But,  instead  of  feel- 
ing the  spur  of  poverty,  as  have  so  many  successful  men,  he  responded  to  a  desire 
to  make  the  eighth  generation  of  his  family  as  noteworthy  as  the  seven  before  him  in 
America.  His  father,  the  late  J.  F.  Joy,  was  widely  known  as  a  railroad  builder 
and  financier,  and  was  prominent  in  national  affairs  at  the  time  Blaine  was  a  candi- 
date for  President. 

When  Mr.  Joy  came  home  from  the  Spanish- American  war,  in  which  he  served 
as  a  navy  man,  he  purchased  a  single-cylinder  automobile  built  by  J.  W.  Packard 
at  Warren,  Ohio.  From  this  he  conceived  the  idea  of  a  manufacturing  plant  in 
Detroit.  He  interested  a  number  of  wealthy  Detroiters  in  the  plan,  purchased  a 
large  interest  in  the  Packard  Company,  and  brought  about  its  reorganization  and 
removal  from  Warren  to  Detroit.  It  had  been  his  intention  to  become  merely  a 
stockholder,  but  he  was  persuaded  by  his  business  associates  to  become  general  man- 
ager. 

In  1903  the  factory  site,  then  consisting  of  potato  patches  and  cow  pasture, 
was  selected  by  Mr.  Joy  and  the  plans  for  the  plant  were  laid  out  under  his  direction. 
He  wisely  made  provision  for  the  growth  of  the  institution,  which  has  evolved  from 
a  shop  with  200  employees  to  a  plant  with  nearly  sixty  acres  of  floor  space  and  a 
payroll  with  13,000  names. 

The  ideal  of  Mr.  Joy  from  the  beginning  was  to  set  the  standard  for  the  finest 
quality  in  motor  car  production.  Henry  B.  Joy  is  mainly  responsible  for  the  as- 
tonishing success  of  the  company. 

In  a  business  of  such  astonishing  magnitude  and  phenomenal  growth  it  is  per- 
haps invidious  to  select  any  two  or  three  men  to  the  exclusion  of  others  equally 
prominent,  and  especially  of  Elwood  Haynes,  who  is  considered  the  virtual  creator 
of  the  whole  industry  and  who  made  the  first  practicable  automobile.  Mr.  George 
K.  Birge  and  Mr.  Louis  H.  Kittredge,  presidents  of  the  Pierce  Arrow  and  Peer- 
less Companies  respectively,  are  also  not  to  be  forgotten  for  their  rare  courage  in 
making  a  car  that  struck  a  new  note  in  cost  at  a  time  when  the  vehicle  was  liardly 
established  and  that  were  so  well  made  as  to  successfully  compete  with  the  best  on 
earth. 

PUBLIC  SERVICE  UTILITIES:   GAS  AND  ELECTRICITY 

Beginnings  of  Our  Public  Service  Utilities:  Gas,  Electricity,  etc. 

Elsewhere  in  these  pages  is  shown  the  first  house  lighted  by  gas  in  the  city — 
the  residence  of  Mr.  Samuel  Leggett  in  Cherry  Street.  Mr.  Leggett  was  the  first 
man  to  see  the  possibilities  of  this  new  illuminant  as  a  business  venture  and  in 
March,  1823,  formed  a  company  consisting  of  himself,  Moses  Cunningham,  George 


[365  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  Yokk 


Youle,  Thomas  Morris  and  William  S.  Coe  "for  the  purpose  of  better  lightinpf 
the  city,  the  buildings,  manufactories  and  houses  therein,"  which  was  duly  chartered 
by  the  State.  In  addition  to  these  incorporators  the  first  directorate  also  included 
the  names  of  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman,  Richard  S.  Williams,  William  Seaman, 
Thomas  Morris,  Henry  Eckford,  Robert  Bogardus,  George  Buckmaster,  Samuel 
Ackerly  and  Thomas  H.  Smith. 

The  Manhattan  Company,  incorporated  as  a  water  company  and  now  one  of 
the  city's  oldest  financial  institutions,  was  then  in  operation,  and  delivering  its 
water  supply  through  mains  made  of  the  trunks  of  trees.  Naturally  the  first  gas 
pipes  were  rather  primitive.  The  gas-works  were  at  Hester  and  Rynders  (now 
Centre)  Streets.  The  illumination  of  Mr.  Leggett's  house  by  gas  caused  a  sensa- 
tion and  each  night  saw  the  street  filled  with  citizens  who  looked  and  marvelled.  At 
that  time  the  population  of  Manhattan  Island  was  123,700  and  of  the  Bronx,  2,785. 

The  next  gas  company  to  start  in  business  was  the  Manhattan  Gas  Light  Com- 
pany, incorporated  in  1830.  Several  other  companies  were  subsequently  formed, 
but  as  the  business  by  its  nature  is  better  administered  under  the  direction  of  but 
one  company,  there  was  a  consolidation  in  1881)  of  all  these  separate  companies 
into  the  present  corporation.  The  formation  of  the  Consolidated  obviated  the 
operation  of  a  multiplicity  of  companies  with  an  intricate  system  of  independent 
mains.  At  the  beginning  of  the  gas  industry  and  for  many  years,  the  price 
charged  for  gas  was  $10  a  thousand  cubic  feet,  and  the  customers  were  charged 
a  rental  for  gas  fixtures.  Now  the  companies  do  not  control  the  fixtures  or  the 
piping  in  buildings.  The  price  of  gas  was  reduced  from  time  to  time,  until  now  it 
has  reached  its  lowest  ebb — 80  cents  a  thousand  cubic  feet.  The  Consolidated  in- 
troduced the  system  of  renting  ranges  and  some  other  gas-using  appliances.  It 
also  introduced  the  plan  of  having  women  "demonstrators"  visit  homes  and  give 
free  cooking  lessons  to  housewives  and  their  cooks.  These  "demonstrators"  visit 
80,000  homes  during  a  year.  There  are  nearly  1,800  miles  of  mains  in  the  streets 
of  New  York  City.  This  system  includes  the  largest  sized  mains  in  the 
world — 60  inches  in  diameter.  In  a  tunnel  under  the  bottom  of  the  East  River  be- 
tween Astoria,  L.  I.,  and  the  Bronx,  there  are  mains  72  inches  in  diameter. 
Through  this  tunnel  gas  may  be  sent  from  the  immense  works  of  the  Astoria  Light, 
Heat  and  Power  Company  to  the  Bronx,  and  thus  find  distribution  to  the  upper 
part  of  Manhattan  Island.  There  are  three  different  sets  of  large  mains  under  the 
bottom  of  the  Harlem  River,  thus  connecting  INIanhattan  Island  with  the  Bronx 
and  insuring  uninterrupted  service.  The  largest  gas-holder  in  the  world  is  at  As- 
toria. This  contains  15,000,000  cubic  feet  of  gas  when  filled.  During  the  year  1915 
the  Consolidated  and  aflfiliated  companies  sold  in  these  boroughs  26,636,651,900  cu- 
bic feet  of  gas.  Nearly  900,000  gas  meters  are  in  use  in  the  Boroughs  of  Manhat- 
tan and  the  Bronx. 

Mr.  George  B.  Cortelyou  is  President  of  the  Consolidated  Gas  Company  of 
New  York.  IMr.  Cortelyou  just  previous  to  his  accepting  the  position  was  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasui'y,  and  previous  to  that  had  been  Secretary  of  Commerce  and 
Labor,  and  Postmaster- General — three  cabinet  portfolios.    The  Vice-Presidents 


[  366  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.   H    C  BROWN 


RESIDENCE  OF  MR  SAMUEL  LEGGETT,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  FIRST 
GAS  COMPANY,  AT  No  7  C H E R R Y  STR E ET.  T H E N  A  VERY  FASHION- 
ABLE NEIGHBORHOOD, 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MR.   GEORGE    B.  COHTELYOU. 


/ 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  Public  Service  Utilities 


are  Mr.  Walter  R.  Addicks,  Mr.  Lewis  B.  Gawtry,  and  Mr.  Robert  A.  Carter,  who 
is  also  Secretary. 

The  educational  end  of  the  Gas  Company's  work,  particularly  its  efforts  to  en- 
lighten the  public  on  certain  fundamental  principles  of  correct  lighting  by  means 
of  a  monthly  paper,  Gas  Logic,  has  been  of  great  benefit  and  value  to  the  average 
householder. 

EARLY  DAYS  OF  THE  ELECTRIC  LIGHT 

In  an  old  rebuilt  warehouse  at  257  Pearl  Street,  Thomas  A.  Edison  on  Sep- 
tember 4,  1882,  switched  on  the  first  electric  current  to  light  New  York  City. 
For  this  first  experiment  the  district  bounded  by  Wall,  Spruce,  Nassau,  Ferry 
Streets  and  the  East  River  was  chosen,  for  that  was  then  New  York's  big  busi- 
ness centre,  and  it  was  thought  that  in  such  a  locality  the  lighting  would  attract 
most  attention.  And  attract  attention  it  did.  Every  newspaper  the  next  day  con- 
tained long  accounts  of  the  new  wonder.  Big  buildings  hastened  to  apply  for 
service,  and  the  central  station  could  not  begin  to  meet  the  demands  upon  it. 

One  of  the  most  important  features  of  the  new  system  was  its  underground  wir- 
ing. Two  years  before,  in  1880,  electric  authorities  scoffed  at  the  possibility  of 
laying  wires  underground  without  great  loss  through  leakage.  But  Edison  had 
faith  in  his  idea  and  ended  all  arguments  by  saying:  "Why,  you  don't  lift  water- 
pipes  and  gas-pipes  up  on  stilts!"  Two  other  men  share  the  credit  with  Edison, 
Dr.  Claudius,  who  worked  up  the  data  by  which  the  wire  underground  conductors 
were  originally  made,  and  Mr.  John  Kreusi,  who  had  charge  of  the  actual  laying  of 
the  pipes. 

To  finance  the  work,  The  Edison  Illuminating  Company  was  incorporated 
in  1880  by  Messrs.  Tracy  R.  Edson,  E.  P.  Fabbri,  J.  F.  Navarro,  Grosvenor  P. 
Lowry,  Nathan  G.  Miller.  At  the  first  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers  these 
directors  were  present:  Tracy  R.  Edson,  Henry  Villard,  Major  S.  B.  Eaton,  E.  P. 
Fabbri,  R.  M.  Gallaway,  Dr.  James  O.  Green,  Nathan  G.  Miller,  Robert  L. 
Cutting,  Jr.  Dr.  Norvin  Green  was  chosen  president,  Calvin  Goddard  as  sec- 
retary, and  E.  P.  Fabbri  as  treasurer.   Thomas  A.  Edison  was  appointed  engineer. 

From  the  day  when,  in  the  presence  of  these  and  other  well-known  men,  Edi- 
son first  turned  on  the  current  at  the  central  station,  there  has  been  practically 
uninterrupted  service;  For  less  than  half  a  day,  all  told,  has  accident  put  it  out 
of  order.  The  list  of  buildings  that  claim  to  have  been  the  first  customers  grows 
daily.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  there  is  no  authentic  list  of  such  houses,  and  the  news- 
paper accounts  vary,  but  the  Polhemus  building,  the  Barnes  building,  Greene  Sons, 
Washburne  and  Moen,  the  Herald  office,  and  the  Drexel  building  were  surely 
"among  those  present." 

Wiring  could  not  keep  pace  with  the  orders  that  came  in.  One  reason  in 
particular  was  the  scarcity  of  experienced  workmen.  A  night  school  had  to  be 
started  to  teach  men  the  new  business.  In  the  same  building,  at  6,5  Fifth  Ave- 
nue, the  general  public  as  well  was  being  educated.   Every  night  the  lights  were 


[  869  ] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


turned  on  and  guides  escorted  curious  visitors  through  the  huilding.  "Won't  it 
explode?"  demanded  some,  while  others  were  astonished  at  the  fact  that  no  matches 
had  to  be  used. 

Development  along  these  two  lines  has  marked  the  policy  of  the  Edison  Com- 
pany, as  it  has  increased  its  scope,  to  the  present  day.  Education  of  employees 
to  their  highest  efficiency,  development  of  service  to  the  public  to  its  highest  point 
have  been  the  big  aims  of  the  company.  To-day  it  is  the  largest  corporation  by  far 
devoted  to  the  commercial  light  and  power  field.  It  aims  to  make  the  corporation 
a  model  in  its  industrial  relations.  To  this  end  much  attention  has  been  and  is  paid 
to  accident  prevention,  health  measures,  educational  incentives,  encouragement  of 
thrift,  and  recreational  opportunities. 

Every  safety  device  known  to  be  of  value  is  in  operation  at  the  Edison  central 
stations,  each  man  is  instructed  carefully  in  the  use  of  the  machinery,  and  the  ma- 
chinery itself  is  subject  to  constant  inspection. 

Educational  opportunities  have  been  largely  increased  by  the  company  since 
the  old  days  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  school.  To-day  there  is  a  technical  school  deal- 
ing with  all  branches  of  electricity,  and  there  is  a  school  of  salesmanship.  This  is 
broader  than  salesmanship,  however;  it  aims  to  acquaint  the  employee  with  all  de- 
partments of  the  company's  work,  and  so  make  him  more  competent  in  his  deal- 
ings with  the  public. 

Athletics,  entertainments,  excursions,  a  library — these  are  some  of  the  other 
fields  in  which  the  company  looks  out  for  the  welfare  of  its  empWees.  It  main- 
tains a  savings  fund  which  pays  six  per  cent  interest,  and  will  lend  at  the  same  rate 
to  those  employees  who  wish  to  build  their  own  homes. 

The  end  of  the  first  month  saw  59  customers  on  the  company's  main,  and  the 
connected  load  was  equal  to  that  of  1,284  fifty-watt  lamps.  To-day  there  are 
176,317  customers  and  the  load  exceeds  141/2  million  fifty-watt  equivalents. 

The  reduction  in  the  cost  of  service  is  strikingly  shown  in  the  comparison  be- 
tween the  past  and  present.  On  a  basis  of  10,000  candle  power  hours  the  rate  from 
1884  to  1890  was  $7.50,  from  1905  to  1908  the  rate  was  $3,121/2,  while  at  the  pres- 
ent time  the  cost  is  only  48  cents. 

In  1883  the  Edison  system  did  not  extend  north  of  Nassau  Street  near  Park 
Row,  in  1890  it  had  reached  Fifty-ninth  Street,  and  then  through  rapid  develop- 
ment the  system  was  extended  not  only  throughout  Manhattan  but  to  the  Bronx  as 
well. 

Naturally  the  number  of  employees  has  grown  apace.  In  August,  1882,  there 
were  78  employees.   August,  1916,  saw  this  army  increased  to  5,914. 

There  have  been  but  four  presidents  of  the  company:  Dr.  Norvin  Green,  who 
served  until  1883;  Mr.  Spencer  Trask,  who  served  until  1899,  and  Mr.  Anthony 
N.  Brady,  who  served  until  1914,  and  ISIr.  Nicholas  F.  Brady,  the  present  president. 
In  1901  the  old  Illuminating  Company  was  merged  with  other  smaller  com- 
panies and  became  the  present  New  York  Edison  Company.  Mr.  Arthur  Williams, 
the  well-known  Commercial  Manager  of  the  Company,  has  contributed  much  to 
its  present  efficient  service.  ' 


[  370  ] 


UNION  SQUARE, 

BRO^VDAVOV^'.  bitwccn    1<".  .mt.i-ulh  and  FUteeiith  Sti-eet.s,  N3i;AV  YOlllv. 
°  BOARD,  S3.S0  PER  DAY. 

T*  J.  C'O  i;  A  S<>  >  .  I'r(>i>rl«"(  or.s,  foi-iniM'i>  of  ihc  Jli:>j:ru:  Wofsj;, 

COPYRIGHT.  1913.   H.  C.  BROWN 

©Ijp  ^jitnglfr  ^atel  in  Union  ^quarr,  ISBD 


THE  FAMOUS  SPINGLER  HOUSE.  ONE  OF  THE  MOST  EXPENSIVE 
HOTELS  OF  THE  DAY  (RATES  $3  60  AS  AGAINST  $2.00  AT  THE 
ASTOR).  STOOD  ON  UNION  SQUARE.  NEXT  TO  THE  CORNER  OF  14ih 
STREET.  OUR  PRINT  IS  FROM  ONE  OF  THEIR  ORIGINAL  LITHO- 
GRAPHS AND  IS  NOW  EXCEEDINGLY  RARE  IT  IS  NOT  SO  MANY 
YEARS  AGO  THAT  THE  HOTEL  WAS  RAZED  TO  MAKE  ROOM  FOR 
THE  SPINGLER  BUILDING  AN  OFFICE  STRUCTURE  NOW  OCCUPYING 
THE  SAME  SITE. 

FROM   THE   COLLECTION   OF   MH.  J    CLARENCE  DAVIES. 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  Chain  Stores 


THE  NEW  SYSTEM  OF  RETAILING— THE  CHAIN  STORES 

The  enormous  development  of  the  present  chain  stores  is  one  of  the  striking 
features  of  retailing.  How  far  it  will  ultimately  affect  the  department  store  is  not 
yet  of  course  discernible.  John  Wanamaker  is  reliably  reported  to  be  doing  a 
business  this  year  in  both  stores  of  about  forty  millions. 

The  first  of  the  chain  stores  was  the  Great  Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea  Co.  and 
the  present  coupon  system  so  largely  in  vogue  is  apparently  an  amplification  of 
the  old  free  gifts  of  glassware  that  used  to  be  given  away  with  a  pound  of  tea. 

George  F.  Gilman,  the  original  proprietor  of  the  Great  Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea 
Company,  was  in  the  leather  and  hide  business  in  Gold  Street,  between  Frankfort 
and  Ferry,  in  the  year  1859  and  he  put  in  tea  in  conjunction  with  his  other  business 
and  did  a  wholesale  business  in  tea.  A  little  later  he  moved  to  129  Front  Street 
and  continued  on  there  in  the  tea  business,  doing  away  with  the  leather  and  hide 
business  entirely.  In  1864  and  1865  the  Great  American  Tea  Company  was  started 
at  49  Vesey  Street  and  there  teas  were  sold  at  retail  and  branches  were  opened 
throughout  the  city  during  the  year  1865,  making  it  the  first  chain  store  proposition 
in  this  country.  These  branches,  of  which  there  were  about  25  in  New  York  City 
and  Brooklyn,  or  Williamsburg  as  it  was  then  known,  were  continued  for  a  time 
and  then  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Great  Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea  Company 
and  this  was  done  so  that  the  retail  business  over  the  counter  would  not  be  inter- 
fered with  by  the  club  or  mail  order  business  which  the  Great  American  Tea  Com- 
pany was  running,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to  change  the  name  of  the  stores 
entirely.  From  that  on  the  stores  of  the  Great  Atlantic  &  Pacific  Tea  Company 
gradually  increased  in  number  until  now  there  is  a  chain  of  more  than  3,000  of  them, 
scattered  throughout  the  United  States,  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  this  chain  is 
growing  at  the  rate  of  twenty  stores  per  week. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Gilman  the  management  of  the  business  devolved  upon 
Mr.  George  H.  Hartford,  who  was  associated  with  Mr.  Gilman  as  far  back  as  1859. 
He  is  now  President  of  the  Company  and  has  been  its  guiding  spirit  since 
it  started.  It  was  mainly  through  his  efforts  that  the  business  has  reached  the  mag- 
nitude it  now  enjoys  and  it  is  a  monument  to  his  tireless  industry  and  enterprise. 

Following  this  in  point  of  seniority  is  probably  the  Woolworth  Stores,  which 
have  brought  into  the  field  the  S.  S.  Kresge  Co.,  the  Pugh,  the  May  Co.  and  others. 

The  amazing  part  of  this  story  is  the  comparatively  sliort  time  in  which  these 
tremendous  results  have  been  achieved.  A  score  of  years  at  most  would  cover 
the  lives  of  each. 

Mr.  Frank  W.  Woolworth  is  easily  the  best  known  and  perhaps  the  most  suc- 
cessful developer  of  the  new  chain-store  system.  His  beautiful  building  on 
Broadway  is  an  ornament  to  the  city  and  is  said  to  be  the  costliest  as  well  as  the 
handsomest  structure  ever  erected  for  commercial  purposes.  It  is  now  the  most 
famous  architectural  landmark  in  the  city  and  enjoj^s  another  remarkable  distinc- 
tion— it  was  paid  for  in  cash  by  Mr.  Woolworth  without  borrowing  and  has  no 
mortgage  upon  it  of  any  kind — two  facts  which  are  an  imposing  demonstration  of 


[373] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


the  power  of  the  much  despised  jitney  and  a  wonderful  lesson  in  the  worth  of 
small  things. 

Curiously  enough,  Mr.  Woolworth's  success  has  been  won  along  lines  original 
with  himself.  Contrary  to  the  long-established  practice  of  Stewart,  Wanamaker 
and  Barniim,  he  has  never  advertised.  The  daily  newspapers  never  announce  a 
bargain  at  Woolworth's  or  make  any  mention  of  the  stores  whatever.  This  is  un- 
doubtedly the  one  exception  to  the  value  of  advertising  which  proves  the  rule.  At 
the  present  moment  Mr.  Woolworth  is  the  greatest  retail  merchant  in  the  world, 
managing  more  than  eight  hundred  stores,  with  daily  cash  receipts  greater  than  any 
other  business  in  the  country.  He  has  recently  extended  the  idea  to  Great  Britain, 
where  his  shops  are  known  as  the  "Thruppeny  and  Sixpenny"  shops — correspond- 
ing to  our  5  and  10  cent  coins. 

The  cigar  stores  of  the  United  probably  come  next  in  point  of  magnitude. 
George  S.  Whelan  is  said  to  be  the  originator  of  this  idea.  He  came  from  Syra- 
cuse, where  he  had  a  stand  or  two  in  some  of  the  hotels.  He  also  manufactured 
cigars  on  the  side.  His  first  store  was  opened  in  Nassau  Street  about  sixteen 
years  ago  and  was  personally  fitted  up  by  Whelan,  who  also  waited  upon  the  cus- 
tomers himself.  There  was  quite  some  excitement  on  that  block  for  awhile  as 
there  were  some  lively  competitors  who  put  huge  signs  in  their  windows  warning 
the  dear  public  against  the  newcomer,  who  was  openly  charged  as  being  a  hired 
minion  of  the  "Trust." 

Behind  tliat  word  "Trust"  was  supposed  to  lurk  all  manner  of  sinister  evil. 
People  were  begged  and  implored  not  to  buy  goods  "made  by  a  Trust."  The  horny- 
handed  son  of  toil,  who  was  popularly  supposed  to  be  the  largest  consumer  of  to- 
bacco, was  relied  on  particularly  to  shun  goods  made  by  the  excoriated.  But  he 
did  nothing  of  the  kind.  He  bought  where  he  got  the  best  value  and  the  cigar 
stores  prospered  amazingly.  At  fifty  Mr.  Whelan  announced  his  retirement  from 
active  business  with  a  fortune  estimated  at  as  many  millions — all  accumulated  in 
less  than  a  dozen  years. 

Mr.  Whelan  has  left  the  United  in  capable  hands.  Mr.  Edward  Wise,  who  is 
now  president,  has  made  important  additions  to  the  alread}^  enormous  business 
created  by  INIr.  Whelan  and  is  adding  a  new  chapter  equally  interesting  to  the 
historj'  of  these  wonderful  stores. 

Mr.  Charles  Sherlock,  a  former  journalist  in  SjTacuse,  the  home  of  the  Whe- 
lans,  is  responsible  for  the  admirable  publicity  which  occasionally  makes  its  appear- 
ance in  behalf  of  the  stores. 

HOW  THE  EARTH  IS  MADE  TO  GIVE  UP  ITS  HIDDEN  TREASURES 

Of  all  the  romances  of  Big  Business,  none  is  more  dazzling  than  the  fairy- 
like tale  of  the  Guggenheims;  and  now  that  the  outflow  of  metals  from  their  tanks 
and  furnaces  has  reached  the  unparalleled  value  of  almost  $500,000,000  a  year,  it 
has  rightly  earned  a  place  in  this  particular  chapter. 

The  smelting  business  as  it  is  operated  to-day  in  this  country  has  no  past  record 


[  374  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.    H.  C.  BROWN 


JffuUan  ^ttttt  in  1843 


AN  EXTREMELY  INTERESTING  VIEW  OF  FULTON  STREET.  SHOWING 
THE  HERALD  BUILDING  ON  THE  CORNER  OF  NASSAU.  AND  THE 
FIRST  OFFICES  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  SUN.  UNDER  MOSES  Y  BEACH. 
IN  ONE  OF  THE  BUILDINGS  OPPOSITE.  KNOX  THE  HATTER  OPENED 
HIS  FIRST  SHOP  AND  KEPT  A  MUSEUM  '  OF  HATS  MADE  BY  HIM. 
WORN  BY  FAMOUS  MEN  SUCH  AS  WEBSTER.  CLAY.  LINCOLN.  GRANT, 
SHERMAN.  ETC. 

FHOM    THE    COLLECTION    01-    MR    ROBLHT  GOCLET, 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  Mining 


by  which  it  may  be  compared.  In  fact,  it  is  so  young  that  its  pioneers  are  still 
in  control.  Less  than  twenty-five  years  ago  not  one  of  the  Guggenheims,  who  now 
control  this  business,  had  ever  seen  a  mine  or  a  smelter  and  thereby  hangs  a  tale. 

Gold,  silver,  copper,  and  lead — these  are  the  principal  metals  that  are  handled 
by  the  smelters.  They  are  a  congenial  family  of  four,  that  are  generally  found 
cuddling  together  in  their  rocky  home.  Unlike  the  great  giant,  iron,  who  prefers 
to  live  by  himself,  the  two  precious  metals,  gold  and  silver,  seem  to  have  a  most 
democratic  fondness  for  the  company  of  their  humble  imitators — copper  and  lead. 
Consequently,  the  four  metals  are  now  being  mined  and  smelted  together  in  most 
localities ;  and  it  is  their  combined  value  that  is  reaching  up  to  the  surprising  total 
of  over  two  million  dollars  a  day. 

There  is  a  novel  parallel  in  the  congenial  family  of  metals  and  the  congenial 
family  of  Meyer  Guggenlieim  and  his  five  sons,  Daniel,  Murry,  Simon,  Solomon 
and  Isaac,  who  were  destined  to  play  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  development 
of  this  industry. 

Meyer  Guggenheim  at  nearly  sixty  was  a  prosperous  lace  manufacturer  in 
Philadelphia.  The  lace  business  suited  him  and  he  was  satisfied  with  the  prospect 
before  him.  A  lifetime  of  exceeding  hard  labor  seemed  about  to  be  crowned  with 
declining  years  of  ease.  Such  was  the  situation  in  the  closing  days  of  '90.  A 
friend  in  financial  difficulties  changed  the  whole  aspect  of  Meyer  Guggenheim's 
peaceful  outlook.  And  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  as  it  were,  he  was  back  in  the 
old  days  of  hustle  and  push  and  in  the  thick  of  the  strenuous  life  of  Leadville  in 
its  early,  picturesque  days. 

The  mine  which  brought  him  back  into  these  active  days  was  forced  upon  him. 
His  friend  failed,  and  it  was  taken  for  debt.  Under  his  able  management  it  proved 
a  huge  success  and  gave  him  an  insight  into  the  hidden  treasures  of  the  earth.  With 
the  way  thus  prepared  the  next  step  was  more  easily  taken — the  entrance  into 
smelting. 

A  large  smelting  plant  was  erected  in  Colorado,  another  on  the  seaboard  and 
two  large  smelters  for  several  mines  in  Mexico.  For  this  business  they  received 
thirty-five  millions  from  the  Smelters  Company,  placing  them  in  control  of  the 
business  in  both  this  country  and  Mexico. 

Another  important  step  forward  came  when  the  Guggenheim  Exploration 
Co.  was  formed. 

In  this  second  act  another  potential  figure  enters  the  scene — the  late  William 
Conde  Whitney — and  a  moment's  digression  to  consider  this  remarkable  man  may 
not  be  amiss. 

Mr.  Whitney  became  of  national  prominence  during  the  first  Cleveland  ad- 
ministration and  was  a  member  of  the  cabinet.  His  wonderful  work  as  Naval 
Secretary  earned  him  the  popular  title  of  Father  of  the  Navy.  Up  to  his  time 
the  war  vessels  comprising  the  fleet  were  little  short  of  a  joke.  He  laid  out  a 
programme  which  ultimately  raised  our  despised  and  decrepit  aggregation  of  arks 
and  tubs  into  the  second  place  among  the  navies  of  the  world. 


[377] 


Glimpses  of  Old  New  York 


Retiring  from  public  life,  Mr.  Whitney  reentered  private  business  and  the  an- 
nals of  New  York's  financial  history  show  few  parallels  to  the  remarkable  pre- 
science and  unerring  judgment  possessed  by  this  wonderful  man  in  the  matter  of 
investments.  Years  of  experience  had  taught  him  to  look  less  at  the  scheme  than 
at  the  men  behind  it,  so  when  Daniel  Guggenheim  outlined  his  plan  of  world  con- 
quest of  metals  he  gav^e  the  matter  thoughtful  consideration.  At  the  end  of  a  week 
he  said:  "Go  ahead.  I'm  with  you,"  and  demonstrated  afresh  his  extraordinary 
faculty  of  seeing  further  than  the  average  man. 

With  the  help  of  Whitney's  money  and  brains  the  five  brothers  now  began 
to  carry  out  immense  projects  that  had  been  years  in  the  making.  No  wild-cat 
speculation  marked  the  beginning  as  might  have  been  expected.  "We  did  very  little 
prospecting,"  said  Murry  Guggenheim,  speaking  of  this  period;  "that  would  have 
been  too  much  of  a  gamble.  We  picked  out  the  best  mines  in  Mexico,  Colorado 
and  South  America  and  bought  them  outright.  This  gave  us  a  steady  supply  of 
ores  for  our  smelters  and  also  a  variety,  so  that  we  could  combine  in  such  a  way 
as  to  produce  the  best  results." 

The  business  of  mining  and  smelting  was  a  gamble  when  these  men  found  it. 
The  plants  were  poorly  equipped  and  shabbily  constructed.  To-day  the  entire 
industry  has  been  raised  to  a  high  level.  Princely  salaries  are  paid — the  general 
manager  of  a  mining  region  receives  fortj'  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  a  year,  the 
superintendent  of  an  average  smelter  is  paid  five  tliousand,  and  a  foreman  two  thou- 
sand. Skilled  workers  are  paid  bonuses  in  addition  to  salaries,  according  to  the 
profit  shown  by  the  company.    In  19 1.5  this  bonus  amounted  to  half  a  million. 

This  amazing  story  of  a  hundred  millions  and  more  earned  in  a  legitimate, 
competitive  business  in  less  than  thirty  years  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  ever 
recorded.  There  is  nothing  in  it  that  might  not  be  duplicated  by  any  set  of  men 
willing  to  work  and  endure  as  did  the  Guggenheims  and  it  ought  to  be  an  en- 
couragement to  man}'  men  who  to-day  are  sorely  perplexed  and  hardly  know  which 
way  to  turn  to  know  that  their  difficulties  are  nothing  new  and  have  been  met  and 
conquered  before. 

In  addition  to  their  American  interests,  they  have  enormous  mines  in  Chili. 
They  are  said  to  be  rich  beyond  tlie  dreams  of  avarice.  And  in  their  management 
appears  the  third  generation — Edmund,  son  of  Murry;  Harry,  son  of  Daniel. 
Roger  W.  Straus,  son-in-law  of  Daniel,  is  also  in  the  field,  but  confines  his  work  to 
the  smelters.   The  j^ounger  generation  have  a  hard  record  to  surpass. 

The  story  of  this  South  American  El  Dorado  is  a  romance  of  itself ;  and  of  the 
development  of  this  mine  a  whole  chapter  could  be  ^vTitten. 

THE  UNITED  FRUIT  COMPANY 

A  most  romantic  story  is  that  of  this  big  banana  company  with  its  scenes  in 
the  tropics,  in  the  jungles  and  again  in  the  great  capitals  of  the  world's  commerce. 
For  the  field  of  its  labors  is  in  the  islands  of  the  Caribbean,  in  Central  America, 
and  the  Republic  of  Colombia.    In  addition  to  the  usual  competition  of  modern 


[  378  ] 


COPYRIGHT.  1913.   H.  C-  BROWN. 


42ub  ^tiTf t  fxum  ^prmiii  Auruur,  Inokiug  Wcat,  1  BfiH 


ALL  AROUND  THE  PRESENT  TERMINAL  WERE  THE  HOMES  OF  SQUAT- 
TERS. THESE  PEOPLE  MADE  TROUBLE  WHEN  IMPROVEMENTS  BEGAN. 
AND  LOTS  OF  FIERCE  FIGHTS  RESULTED.  THE  REGION  WAS  VERY 
ROCKY  AND  VERY  HILLY.  IT  WAS  KNOWN  AS  "SHANTY  TOWN."  THE 
PRESENT  WONDERFUL  STATION  COVERS  THE  WORST  AND  MOST 
SQUALID  PART  OF  THIS  SECTION 


The  Romance  of  Big  Business:  United  Fruit  Company 


business  must  be  added  the  havoc  wrought  by  these  sudden  tropical  storms  that 
figure  so  frequently  in  our  own  daily  news  in  the  summer  and  which  devastate  whole 
miles  of  growing  crops. 

Some  thirty  years  ago,  about  all  the  banana  business  New  York  knew  about, 
or  in  fact  the  whole  country,  was  conducted  by  a  firm  in  Fulton  Street,  the  Frank 
Brothers.  There  were  three  of  them,  Carl  B.,  August  and  Rudolph.  The  unfor- 
tunate young  man  in  Georgia  was  a  son  of  the  latter.  Carl  B.,  who  changed  the 
spelling  of  his  name  to  end  with  "c"  instead  of  "k,"  died  only  a  year  or  two  ago. 

The  idea  of  bringing  bananas  to  New  York  as  a,  business  is  said  to  have  ori- 
ginated with  Carl.  His  brother  August,  then  an  employee  on  the  Pacific  Mail  line, 
had  brought  up  small  but  regular  quantities  on  his  various  trips  which  sold  readily. 
As  a  side  line  it  paid  handsomely.  An  exclusive  contract  with  the  Pacific  Mail  for 
the  transportation  of  this  commodity,  extending  over  a  number  of  years,  enabled 
the  Franks  to  develop  quite  an  industry.  At  the  expiration  of  this  contract  the 
Richardson  Bros,  outbid  the  Franks  and  the  monopoly  passed  to  them.  Other 
shippers  also  competed  and  soon  the  tropical  fruit  business  with  our  own  nearby 
'  South  American  neighbors  became  quite  an  item  in  our  import  trade,  and  the  field 
was  no  longer  restricted  to  one  firm. 

At  this  juncture  another  figure  appears  upon  the  scene,  Minor  C.  Keith — des- 
tined to  change  entirely  the  whole  method  of  banana  culture  and  transportation. 
Keith  was  a  Brooklyn  boy  and  a  nephew  of  that  picturesque  character,  Henry 
Meiggs  of  Peru.  He  is  to-day  the  best  known  and  one  of  the  most  highly  respected 
men  in  all  Central  America.  Remarkable  stories  are  told  of  his  wonderful  career  in 
that  land  of  fearsome  fevers  and  hidden  wealth.  He  took  the  business  of  banana  rais- 
ing out  of  the  domain  of  unintelligent  speculation  and  placed  it  upon  a  foundation  of 
lasting  endurance.  Instead  of  depending  upon  the  bounty  of  nature  and  the  spas- 
modic labor  of  the  irresponsible  native,  he  bought  plantations,  built  railroads, 
steamships,  wharves  and  cities  for  the  growing  and  transportation  of  the  succulent 
fruit.  He  was  fortunate  in  meeting  a  man  of  equal  courage  and  imagination, 
Andrew  W.  Preston  of  Boston.  Together  they  made  the  United  Fruit  Co.,  and 
there  is  a  similarity  between  this  connection  strangely  reminiscent  of  the  co- 
operation between  the  two  Frank  Bros. — the  business  genius  and  financial  capacity 
of  the  one  supplementing  and  developing  the  work  of  the  other. 

The  United  steamers  were  the  first  to  come  under  the  American  flag  under  the 
new  conditions  caused  by  the  war,  and  their  fleet  is  one  of  the  most  important  in 
the  world.  The  extent  and  magnitude  of  their  operations  cannot  be  told  in  this 
short  story,  but  it  is  a  remarkable  chapter  in  American  enterprise.  Their  White 
Fleet  seems  destined  to  dot  the  Seven  Seas  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 


[381] 


O  those  who  have  read  this  volume  with  pleasure  it 
'  may  not  be  without  interest  to  state  that  I  am  now 


publishing  a  book  which  is  issued  once  a  year  and 
which  will  endeavor  to  preserve  the  ever  constant  changes 
in  our  city  and  record  its  wonderful  history  from  day 
to  day. 

Many  years  ago  the  City  itself  did  this  work  and  the 
book  was  known  as  the  Manual  of  the  Corporation  of  the 
City  of  New  York. 

For  thirty  years  it  was  edited  by  David  T.  Valentine, 
then  Clerk  of  the  Common  Council.  I  have  named  this 
revival  in  honor  of  the  old  editor  and  by  the  name  which 
has  been  affectionately  bestowed  by  the  public  upon  his 
labors — Valentine's  Manuals. 

The  first  of  this  New  Series  is  now  ready  and  a  copy  will 
be  sent  you  on  approval  upon  request. 

H.  C.  B. 


